The Loss of a Vietnam Veteran

by Glenn N. Holliman

The Loss of a Veteran....

As many of you know, I have been writing in the space about my return to Vietnam, that war of my youth.  There were millions of us, mostly young men in the 1960s, who were in an out of that conflict over a multi-year period.  One of those U.S. Army Vietnam veterans, a career soldier, was Joel W. Phillips, married to my first cousin, Anne Holliman Phillips.  Anne is the first born daughter of my late uncle and aunt, Euhal and Edna Westbrook Holliman.

Joel (pictured left), born 1942, died this past Saturday, April 23, 2016 after a long illness.  As his wife Anne says, he is no longer suffering.  At this writing Anne is in their Dothan, Alabama home, surrounded by her three children and numerous grandchildren.  The military honor service will be held Tuesday, April 26 in Houston County, Alabama, Joel's childhood and adult home.

Anne remembers that Joel at a Mobile, Alabama Mardi Gras one year told her he had rather be in a bunker in Vietnam than at the festival!  I suspect there are many career soldiers like Joel, a 22 year plus veteran, who found much purpose in military service.  (Right, Joel's mother, Bertha Lee Sanders Phillips)

I got to know Joel better at the last reunion in Orange Beach, Alabama at Al and Linda Herrin Bradley's home (which they kindly opened to dozens of Hollimans for a weekend).  

Joel shared pictures of his children and grandchildren which I scanned into my computer, and filed in my Euhal and Edna Holliman, Irondale, Alabama folder.  He was exceedingly proud of his family, and took great pride in their success and well being.  (Joel and Anne in 2007)

We lost Joel's  father-in-law and mother-in-law in 1989 and 1992, but I know Euhal and Edna would have been proud also of these descendants, just as they were very proud of the lives of their own six children - Terry, Jerry, Anne, Jean, Tommie and Bill.

So as Joel goes to his next roll-call, this Vietnam veteran, who served all of two years, 1/10th of Joel's time, delivers him a well-earned salute and thanks him for his service to his country and family.  

Survivors include Ann Phillips; sons, Michael (Jenifer) Phillips and Jeffrey (Karri) Phillips; daughter, Nancy (Bobby) Justice; grandchildren, Serra Justice, John Justice, Alex Phillips, Lexie Phillips, and Hannah Phillips; great-grandson, Rylan Brennecke.  Anne kindly gave me permission to write this article.