Sgt. James J. Holtom

Sgt. James J. Holtom - 22 years old from Rexburg, Idaho. James (Jim) was born in Waupaca, Wisconsin to David and Reyne Holtom on January 30, 1985. In 1990, his family moved to Woonsocket, South Dakota where James' father managed the local farmer's cooperative. In 1995, they settled in Rexburg, Idaho and still live there today. James was the oldest of 8, with brothers Ben, Lee, Jacob, Calvin, John, and two sisters Anna and Laura Beth. As the oldest sibling, James assumed a lot of responsibilty. "He was like an anchor. We all looked up to him. He always knew what to do." Says Ben Holtom, James' younger brother. While he grew up, James loved to drive through the mud in his pickup, lifting weights, he also loved food - he would satisfy his large appetite. However, the major part of his life was the church. He would study his bible early in the morning as a boy and was strong in his devotion to Christ. He attended the Treasure Valley Baptist Church, where he was an active member for all of his life. After graduating high school, James went on to college at Boise State University where he studied Engineering. In 2003, he joined the Army Reserve. He was assigned to the 321st Engineer Battalion based out of Boise, Idaho. Ben Holtom said that James' joining the military came as a surprise. "He never really talked to my parents about it. He just came home one day and said he'd signed up for the Army, and he never really talked to them about it. My dad, he understood, butmy mom didn't stop crying for three days. That's just what he wanted to do." Even though Jim had not overtly expressed an interest in joining the military to to many people, he loved the Army and was a model soldier, attaining the rank of Sergeant (Sgt) at 21. Staff Sgt. Robert Bond, who has served with Sgt. Holtom said that it was impossible to remember any funny stories about Jim getting in trouble in the Army because he was such a model soldier. "Jim was never that person to cut a corner." Says Staff Sgt. Bond. "Jim has that thing about him, that confidence. He was quiet and let his actions speak louder than his words. Captain Eric Coulson remembers, "He was efficient with his use of words in my presence. He was the sort of NCO a commander counts on. He knew the status of his soldiers and weapons at all times." Sgt. Holtom expressed a deep concern for his fellow soldiers, and would always lend an ear, particularly over a cup of coffee. Pfc. Phillip Kildow said, "If you ever had a problem, Sgt. Holtom was always there to talk to. He would always listen with a cup of coffee in his hand. He loved coffee, had an expresso machine and made undoubtedly the best coffee in the unit. Sgt. Holtom was like an older brother to me. The encouragement that he gave me without saying a word, just his presence was encouragement." Those who knew Jim best had a great fondness for him. Guin Carson - a family friend said, "He was "honorable" and we're extrememly blessed to have been his friend." Guin's husband, Joe, hired Jim to work for his contracting firm and said, "Jim was one of a kind. He knew exactly what God wanted him to do, and he knew it was going over there." There was one special person in Jim's life, that was the love of his life - Melissa Sewell. They met at church and became friends. To each other, there was something incredibly special and unique. James was old fashioned and showed high respect for Melissa's father by asking permission for each step they took as their relationship blossomed. As normal as it comes with the territory of being with a soldier, they broke up with outside reasons but three weeks later, they were going just as strong. One day the subject came up about holding hands. Well upon instructions, James went to her dad and asked permission to hold Melissa's hand. She said, "His truck was a standard, but he somehow managed to hold my hand with his right hand, shift and drive with his left hand." Melissa asked Jim if he was scared to go to Iraq. His response was, "I think God has a bigger reason for me going." One of her favorite memories was when they went to "Buld-a-Bear". She says, "He made me a bear. Complete with Army BDU's, boots, dogtags, boxers and sunglasses like the ones Jim wore. Jim wasn't too hip on the idea at first, but then towards the end, he was giving it a "bath" and brushing it's fur. We named it "Jimmel" and decided it would be our baby. Jim put a voice recording in it for me that is SO special to me now! It's Jim's voice saying, "I will always love you." Knowing that the voiceboxes only last 800 uses, Melissa went out and bought 2 more to re-record the message. They had planned on getting engaged when Jim returned for leave in May of 2007. And planned for a winter wedding on December 7, 2007. They wanted to raise a family in the little two-bedroom house Jim had purchased for them before he left for Iraq. In September 2006, Sgt. Holtom was deployed to Iraq as a member of the 321st Combat Engineer Battalion, Company A. Sgt. Holtom was killed on February 8, 2007 of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit while on combat patrol in Karmah, Iraq. Also killed were Spc. Ross A. Clevenger and Pvt. Raymond M. Werner. The three fallen soldiers were among about 300 reservists who left in September for hazardous duty in Iraq, where, the unit's leaders said, they would spend a year clearing roadside bombs that have been responsible for hundreds of U.S. troop deaths and injuries. The soldiers trained in Missouri and Wisconsin during the summer of 2006, learning urban warfare tactics and how to spot and remove roadside bombs explained Battalion Capt. John Vogt of the 321st Engineer Battalion. Sgt. Holtom along with the rest of the Idaho soldiers were stationed in western Iraq, a hotbed of Sunni Arab unrest. During his funeral, Pastor Randy Mitchell said, "He knew he was probably going to end up in Iraq, yet Jim being Jim, he knew that's what he was supposed to do and he stayed on task. He loved the Lord, family, church and country." Jim's father, Dave, spoke of his son as the "point of the spear" in his service for the Army, and he said the greatest honor for a man was to give his life for someone else. Dave also called for increased efforts in missions in Iraq and the need to fight for liberty. He said his son was all the great things people said about him, but that he could get angry and lose his temper, "He wasn't perfect, but he was a wonderful young man. We had 22 wonderful years with him." Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said, "I was deeply saddened to receive word about the brave Idahoans who lost their lives and were injured in the line of duty. Their families, their loved ones and their friends deserve our support and help through the difficult days ahead". Sgt. James Holtom was one of the rare ones in this world. He was liked by many and looked up to by many. He is looking down on all those who he cared for and watching out for them. The loss of his life was tragic, no words could ever take away that pain. Know though that as many others, he would want you to remember the good times and good memories. Not to grieve as he is with you now and always will be.

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