Maj. Lamont Christian, the post's senior enlisted leader, salute the battle
cross of Sgt. Jason Holmes during a memorial service at the Anderson Street
Chapel Jan. 17. (U.S. Army... VIEW ORIGINAL
During a memorial ceremony at Anderson Street Chapel on Fort Jackson Tuesday Sgt. Jason E. Holmes was remembered by his superiors and coworkers as having a huge personality.
Maj. Wenda Throckmorton, executive officer for the Special Troops Battalion, said Holmes was known throughout the 17th Military Police Detachment as "having a vibrant personality, his laughter" and the fact his voice could be heard from afar.
Holmes' contributions as an investigator and desk sergeant were critical to the Directorate of Emergency Services efforts on the installation, she said.
Capt. Todd Jones, 17th MP Detachment commander, said that in addition to conducting "investigations for DES on the Army's largest initial entry training installation" Holmes also conducted specialized investigations into juvenile misconduct. As a desk sergeant he monitored and assisted in the daily operations of DES.
"Let us continue to embrace the Family of Sgt. Holmes in their time of need, and let us continue to embrace one another as we deal with their loss," Throckmorton said.
It will help the unit eventually move forward "as we continue to remember Sgt. Holmes and share his contributions," she added.
Jones fondly remembered Holmes, who was born Feb. 26, 1980 in Nunica, Michigan, for the love he showed his children and his Detroit Lions.
"God gives his hardest battles to his toughest Soldiers," he said. "Even though this may be true I wish I didn't have this battle."
"My first interaction with Sgt. Holmes was one Friday after taking command. We were conducting a fantasy football draft, which I think he had never done before. To make a long story short, I think he's team came in second to last place … probably because his team was Detroit Lions-centric.
"He loves his kids and he loved being around them," Jones added. "Every interaction I had with him he talked about his kids because his son and my son share the same name and he just finished talking with Jaden."
The past summer Holmes asked to take leave to be with both of his kids even though it was a very busy time for the unit.
"I don't think he has ever taken any leave except to see his kids and Family," Jones said.
Holmes deployed to Iraqi in 2007 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and to Afghanistan in 2011.
He is survived by his two children Halle and Jaden Holmes, his parents Tom and Brenda Vokal, and his brother Brian.
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