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This is Page 27. See some past weeks'
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See an index of all past weeks' photos
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posted May 22-26
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In a Memorial Day tribute to all who have given their lives in military service, we are grateful to Nebraska rancher, writer, and poet Willard Hollopeter and his family for honoring our request to share memories and photos of Corporal Josiah Hollopeter.
Josiah Hollopeter and his sniper team were ambushed in Al Muqdidiyah in June, 2007. He was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division, based in Fort Hood, Texas.
Willard writes:
My grandson, Specialist E-4, Josiah Hollopeter was killed by enemy fire in Iraq June 14, 2007. He was 27 years old.
Joe did the normal kid things while growing up. He was active in sports, playing baseball and football and wrestling in high school. He also helped me in the hayfield and with cattle work for a few years.
He was caring and compassionate but there got to be a time, in his adolescence, when Joe rebelled against authority, running afoul of the law on occasion. He finally straightened himself out and became a productive, hard working asset to each community where he lived.
Kalen, Josiah's nephew; his brother Tyler, and Josiah.
Josiah wanted in the Army but his penchant for tattoos was keeping him out. He kept trying until he got in. His mother and father, his sister and a cousin got tattoos to honor that struggle.
After Joe’s death his mother wrote a letter to president Bush, telling of Joe’s attempt to get in the Army, even trying to call the White House for assistance. She wrote about his dedication to what he was doing in Iraq, believing he was doing some good by being there. Bush answered the letter, sending with it a presidential medal, which is certainly a treasured family keepsake.Lieutenant, Tyler Hollopeter, a helicopter pilot in Iraq at the time, escorted his brother home and the demonstration of love and respect and gratitude, shown by the community, for a fallen warrior was overwhelming, bringing many tears.
Josiah was buried in the Wood Lake, Nebraska cemetery, with full military honors, and was posthumously promoted to the rank of Corporal.
He tried riding some calves,
when he was a little guy.
He wasn’t getting them rode,
but Joe had a lot of try.
He rebelled some growing up,
on him, the cops kept an eye.
But he got it all straightened out,
‘cause Joe had a lot of try.
He’d had some fights along the way,
sometimes with a bigger tougher guy.
He most usually won those fights,
Joe had a lot of try.
They wouldn’t let him in the army,
too many tattoos, they said was why.
He pestered them ‘till he got in.
Joe had a lot of try.
He didn’t mind being in Iraq,
and I would have to wonder why.
except that I always knew,
Joe had an awful lot of try.
He knew he was doing some good,
that was it, the reason why.
He did what he had to do over there,
because Joe had a lot of try.
He knew his chances weren’t good,
he knew he could so easily die
But he figured he was needed there.
My grandson had a lot of try.© 2007, Willard Hollopeter
This poem may not be reprinted or reposted without the author's written permission.
Willard Hollopeter is one of the founders and organizers of Valentine, Nebraska's Old West Days. Read some of his poetry and more about him here.
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