Saluting Kenneth
By Robert Wolfington IIIArticle Photos
Kenneth Lawrence Holm of Clarkfield was stationed on the USS Oklahoma, docked at Pearl Harbor, when the ship came under attack on Dec. 7, 1941.
Nearly 70 years after his death, his family is preparing to memorialize him for the first time in Clarkfield.
Holm was the first casualty of World War II from Clarkfield, a memorial notice said.
Siblings Blair Holm and Janice Walker, Holm's nephew and niece, have been working with Clarkfield residents and the U.S. Navy, putting together a memorial service for Wednesday, Aug. 30, in Clarkfield.
Blair Holm said his family never held a memorial service for Kenneth Holm; his parents died a few years after the Oklahoma was raised.
The Oklahoma was raised in 1943, and the remains of those recovered were placed in a common grave known as the Punch Bowl Cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Blair Holm said his uncle's name is included on the memorial in Hawaii, but he wanted to make sure Kenneth was remembered in his hometown.
"He has never had any kind of recognition other than his name is on the monument there in Hawaii along with his shipmates that went down with the ship," said Blair Holm.
Blair Holm said he learned about a program through the Navy that gave free headstones to soldiers who died in combat.
"I sat on it for a couple of years because at the time I was still working," said Blair Holm. "I finally called the number and they told me what I needed to do."
Blair Holm said he finally got the process started a few years later and was surprised by how fast the ball got rolling.
"I found out we could get a free headstone of our choice," said Blair Holm. "They gave us the forms to fill out and I did all of that. I was surprised it was so fast, they said it would take up to three months for turn around and it was done two weeks later."
Walker said memorializing Kenneth Holm is important for her and her brother.
"This is something my brother wanted to do," said Walker. "I've been in the American Legion all of my life.
"We (memorialized) my Dad, too, and my husband," said Walker. "Everybody should have a burial and a ceremony. There was no one in the family that did it."
Walker said she didn't know her uncle well, but looking at pictures she feels the family connection.
"He was my uncle and he is the spitting image of my Dad," said Walker.
Wendell Ryer, a member of the local color guard, said he is proud to salute Holm during the service.
"We'll be assisting the American Legion at Clarkfield with the firing squad," said Ryer. "They only have four people and you need seven for a 21 gun salute."
Archie Froland of the Clarkfield American Legion said the memorial service for Holm is unique.
"We do quite a lot of funerals; this one is so long ago and we've never experienced anything like this," said Froland.
Blair Holm said his uncle will join other family members buried in the Clarkfield Lutheran Cemetery.
"My grandparents and two aunts and an uncle are buried in the cemetery plot," said Blair Holm. "His headstone will be next to my aunt and uncle who passed away when they were relatively young."
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Fram11
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07-24-08 6:13 PM
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Bravo, to this family, for remembering and honoring one lost in war.
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whyisthis
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07-24-08 12:56 AM
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Thanks for doing this, it is a wonderful reminder for those who served.
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