Lt. Colonel Steven Holmes USMC Ret., formerly of Mount Pulaski and a veteran
of Desert Shield and Desert Storm campaigns in Southwest Asia, gave the keynote 2004 Memorial Day Address at both the Mount Pulaski City Cemetery and at the Steenbergen Cemetery south of town.   He is also a veteran of Operation Allied Force in Kosovo and the Balkans, Operation Enduring Freedom in Kuwait, Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq and Kuwait and supported various contingency operations in NATO, Korea, and Southeast Asia.

Lt. Colonel Holmes awards and decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals, Two Joint Service Commendation Medals, a Joint Service Achievement Medal, a Navy Achievement Medal, a Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon, and numerous campaign and unit medals.

Col. Holmes, son of Charles ("Chick") and Betty Holmes, graduated from Mount Pulaski High School in the 1975.  He holds an AA Degree from Lincoln College in 1977, a BA in Public Administration from National University at San Diego in 1981, and a MA in Management from National University at San Diego in 1986.  Lt. Holmes is married to the former Susan Howgill of Devon, England.  They have two sons, two daughters, and one granddaughter.

Memorial Day Photos

Holmes' Memorial Day Address