Reflections Of The Vietnam War, Waukesha Veteran Remembers

WAUKESHA, WI—War is nothing like how it is portrayed on television or in the movies, according to Vietnam veteran Eric Holmes.

The 73-year-old experienced first-hand the devastation, heroism, and lasting impacts after serving in Vietnam from 1967-68.

"Movies like Platoon and Full Metal Jacket are so bogus it is unbelievable to me," Holmes said.

As a teenager, Holmes himself had an inaccurate perception of what it meant to be in a war, thinking it would be like a John Wayne movies.

Coming from a big family, the Waukesha native and resident said there wasn't any money for him to go to college. His late father Roy Holmes, who was a D-Day survivor, told him about enlisting to pay for school.

Holmes enlisted in October 1966 and was given his orders in December 1967.

Holmes did basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and armored training at Fort Knox in Kentucky.

On August 24, 1968, his tank was ambushed with RPG, a rocket-propelled grenade. Two people were killed and Holmes suffered multiple fragment wounds.

"You are scared to death at all times. When we were ambushed, besides being wounded, I soiled my pants," he said.

Holmes recalled a big explosion that caused him to lose hearing in one ear. He also remembered celebrating his 20th birthday at the Iron Triangle, a 120 square mile area with badly damaged railroad tracks and rail cars in the Bình Dương Province of Vietnam.

"It was called that because the French were there and there were so many mines that were still left over," he said.

The veteran was presented with a Purple Heart.

Holmes said a common assumption is that a person is awarded or that they earn or receive a Purple Heart. Rather, it is presented to a person for wounds received in combat. Holmes received a combat infantry badge, which means you were in combat with an individual.

"Your bullets are going one way, and their bullets are coming your way," he said.

Respect and honor

After he finished serving, Holmes went through the San Francisco airport on his way home to Wisconsin. Immediately, he noticed the protesters.

"I don't think any Vietnam veteran who came through San Francisco that was prepared for everything that was going on in this country," he said.

After bypassing the protesters and arriving at his terminal, he said he met two men who bought him drinks even though he was not legally able to drink at 20.

After leaving the army, he was assigned to temporary duty at Fort Wood in Texas. He taught ROTC which he said was wonderful.

"There were all these people who had a dad who was a colonel or general and here is this lowly E5 Staff Sergeant drilling these guys and having them show me respect," he said.

Holmes eventually owned The Sign Shoppe, a manufacturer of customized signs for businesses and individuals in Waukesha. He was married to his wife Judy for 40 years before she died. They had two sons and eventually four grandchildren.

Now and Then

The positive side of time passing is how the perception of the Vietnam War has changed, according to Holmes.

When he was single, Holmes dated a woman who broke up with him over his service. The woman said he had options to serve or not serve.

"It has changed over the 54 years dramatically," he said.

Now there are crowds of people at the airports to welcome soldiers home.

"It is a whole different world that being in the military now is not a disgruntling job as there is no draft," he said.

This year there is no Memorial Day parade in Waukesha.

Pat Craney, chair of the Waukesha Allied Veterans Council, told Patch the reason has to do with the pandemic.

Holmes understands the appeal of watching the Memorial Day parade in Waukesha.

A large number of spectators crowd the streets. Holmes is on the Waukesha Allied Veterans Council with Craney, another Waukesha veteran.

Holmes said now the big draw is the two high school bands marching.

"They are there to see their niece or son. Not see old guys in old cars waving hi," he told Patch.

People still wave the American Flag and cheer as he drives by in his car. Holmes said there is no candy thrown during the parade.

"That is our parade. It is a respectable parade to remember these brave men and women who paid the ultimate price," he said.

A moving tribute

The "Moving Wall" — a half-sized replica of the Washington D.C. Vietnam Veterans Memorial — is scheduled to visit Waukesha at noon, Thursday through 6 a.m., June 1 in Frame Park .

Holmes made opening remarks and read the names of City of Waukesha individuals killed in Vietnam during the ceremony. Four of those who died were high school classmates of Holmes.

Holmes said seven young men were killed in his platoon. At home, Holmes has a cross with all of their names on it and the date they were killed.

"Time will pass and memories will fade but the wall is the one thing that will keep those people alive forever," Holmes said.

For more information on the "Moving Wall" visit the city's website.