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It was with a heavy heart that I went to St. Anns church for "Sarge's" service. He was a great man. His teachings and guidance helped shape me into the man I am today. He will be missed.

My heartfelt condolences to all family and friends. Sargent Holland was a great teacher, mentor, and friend; he will be missed.

Gretel and family-- We are so sorry to hear of your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this time.

My deepest condolences to your family. Sgt. Was a great man, teacher, mentor. I am really glad to have had the privilege of learning and knowing him.

Sgt Holland, will always hold a special place in my heart. In his retirement, he began to work with high school students. This took an amazing person with a heart of gold. The guidance that he gave to us will never be forgotten. Thank you to the Holland family for sharing this special man with so many of us. I am so sorry for your loss. Judy Clarke (DeAngelis) QHS 1979

Ed Holland came into my life as a mentor at a critical time. The Junior ROTC program he ran with Colonel Ciampa kept me on the right path in so many ways. Until I found the program and Sarge, I was a troubled kid who got it too many fights. Sarge taught me about respect and hard work, and I went from a troubled kid to the cadet leader of the whole program thanks to Sarge believing in me and noticing my efforts. The year we got our honor unit designation, it never would have been possible without Sarge. He did everything for us and for the cause of making sure the JROTC program did what it was supposed to do: shape responsible citizens. I now have a Web-site and an official non-profit called Memorials For Heroes (memorialsforheroes.com), and I would like to make sure Sergeant Holland gets a fitting memorial in a very public place in Quincy. I would like to raise funds to place a very large bronze plaque somewhere, possibly two since Sarge taught at both North and Quincy High schools. I spearheaded the whole project for Anthony Palermo's memorial plaque, which is featured on the Memorials for Heroes site. I'd like to do more with the charity and the site. I would really like to learn more about the Sarge I didn't know outside of the program so I can compile his history for the site and a potential memorial site (I am also a webmaster). I am a writer by trade, so it would be fulfilling to honor him in that way. More importantly, I cannot attend the services, so I want to create a major event to salute Sarge and Colonel Ciampa one last time so all those he impacted can gather in one place without it having to be at a moment's notice in the face of tragedy. I am sure there are others like me who want to be there for your family in this time of need and give their respects to Ed but cannot. He was just such an incredible man, and he was equal parts teacher, friend, therapist, father and comedian. I will miss his constant smile.

My condolences to Sarge's family..he was a special being to so many, he spoke so highly of his family and his precious wife. You truly changed so many lives of the people you can in contact with. Thanks for the opportunity and many many memories! RIP Sarge. xoxo

Sarge was one of those remarkable people who was respected because he was genuine, kind, funny, and reliable. He led by example, keeping hundreds of ornery and mischievous adolescents in line while teaching us leadership skills that changed the way that we lived our lives forever. He always knew the right thing to say. When I fought with my parents, he would call and smooth things over with his own brand of humor (and flattery with my mom). He put up with us on the long bus rides to and from drill team competitions, and encampments. When I was a freshman, the drill team was pitiful. He played a major part in helping us become the champs a few years later, by coming to work early so that we could practice before school, teaching us the drill part, and reducing the drama that is always present when high school students are involved. There is a Facebook group called AFJROTC Quincy & North Quincy High School alumni. Since the news of his passing was announced, the page has come alive with pictures and memories. It is public, and I encourage anyone who wants to see the Sarge that we knew to check it out. Hopefully this link will take you there. https://www.facebook.com/groups/145192961830/

In memory of my father-in-law, I send my sincere condolences and regrets that I could not be there during this time. Ed was a second father to me and was the best Opa ever to his grandkids, Dillan and Shannon. He will forever remain a positive role model in their lives. With my deepest sympathy, Lisle Holland.

In memory of our dear Opa, we express our sincere condolences to our family and especially our Oma, our Dad (Ron), and Aunt Michelle. Although we could not travel to be there with our family, you are all with us in our thoughts and prayers. We will miss our Opa greatly and know he is looking down upon us from the pearly gates of heaven. Rest in Peace Opa. With all our love, Dillan and Shannon Holland.

My sincerest condolences. I was a student of "Sarges". He was a great man, a great teacher, great mentor, and most of all a great friend. He took the time to get to know "his kids" and took a genuine interest in their lives and was always there for us. Thank you for sharing him with us. God bless.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful man with us. He is the reason why many of us joined the Armed Forces. He was always great to talk with and always was quick to question "if I got lost on my way to the USAF recruiting station", after I ended up enlisted in the Marines. He made the city of Quincy a better place to live because of the content of his character and passion to serve. Sempe Fi Sarge!!!

Sarge you will be missed by many. You touched and changed so many lives including mine. You were one of the greatest men I have ever known. REST IN THE SWEETEST OF PEACE. Thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends

I am so very sorry for your loss.. Sgt Holland was so devoted to his ROTC students, my son Mike was in ROTC class of 96 and my mom and I were involved with both Sarge and Col Ciampa, the encampments to Ft Deven's brings back so many memories for me as Sarge had the best sense of humor and more than once sat and chuckled while Col Ciampa was the enforcer.. He was an exceptional man who took so many young people under his wings and turned their lives around, he always saw the good in his students and encouraged them to do things in life they never thought possible.. I was heart broken to hear of his passing.. sending HUGE HUGS to all of you as I know his loss will leave a huge void in your lives.. gigi thompson

So sorry for your loss. We will miss Edward.

Sgt. Holland. You and Col Ciampa were mentors to a lot of young persons and to me. It was because of you and Col. that I joined the USAF. I was honored to be a student of yours and will always remember your smile. May you Rest in Peace and smile down on those of us that you taught without any idea what we may have become. Mrs. Holland and family, Thank you for the service that Sgt. Holland gave to us and thank you for the years of friendship that he gave to me after I graduated from QHS. I will miss him when he comes into Lowes and ribs me about my weight. He was a great and gentle man. Good Bye, Good Bless and Eternal Peace to you. Paul Campbell. Class of 1988

Rest easy Sergeant Holland, You showed many of us teenagers what it meant to be of service to our country, community and our fellow citizens by leading by example. It's hard to believe that it was 35 years ago that you sent the JROTC class of '79 off to take on the world but you prepared us very well. My condolences to the family, friends and fellow JROTC cadets.

You were always my mentor. Without you and the rotc program only god knows how my life would of ended up. I will always think of you as my second father as we all probably think the same way about you. I and Larry are especially going to miss you so much. As now we will always tell our children how a great man you are and always will be. RIP all our Love, Kim, Larry, Justin and Adrianna.

Ed was the inspiration that encouraged me to seek the Air Force as a career. His passion for teaching and professionalism as my JROTC instructor made me a successful officer. He spent his career taking care of his people in the Air Force, his community, and his family, something that all of us learned from. I was proud to serve in his footsteps and will always be grateful for the many life lessons he taught me. My deepest condolences to the family as we celebrate a true American hero's life on his next journey. Frank

"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." Ralph Waldo Emerson's words (in my mind), do better to capture the profound influence that Sgt. Holland had over so many students through the span of his career. My thoughts are with you and your family in this time of sadness. I want to personally say thank you for the mentorship and guidance that he provided me. Truly, your husband's/father's/brother's life was a life well lived.

I'm sorry for your loss. Sarge meant a lot to his JROTC students - I know I wouldn't have made the AF a career (or stayed as a civilian employee after retirement) without his & Lt Col Ciampa's strong influences. Bill Barnes