RIP Tyler Holtz Monarch football 2006 KIA Afghanistan Update

[kingspeed]

Tyler Holtz former MD footballer and grad in 2007 was a casualty of the war in Afghanistan. He was a member of the MD program all 4 years and played his varsity years in 2005 and 2006. In 2006 he was the call out person for the MD pride drill.

A good young man is lost but lets make sure not in vane. Live out our lives of freedom in the honor of him and all veterans.

Army Ranger from Orange County killed in Afghanistan

From the LA Times
September 26, 2011 | 2:31pm


A U.S. Army Ranger from Orange County has been killed in combat in Afghanistan, the Pentagon announced.

Sgt. Tyler Nicholas Holtz, 22, was killed Saturday in Wardak province while leading an assault against a Taliban position.

Holtz was mortally wounded by small arms fire during a heavy firefight, the Army said. He has been posthumously awarded the Bronze Star.

Born in the city of Orange and a graduate of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Holtz was on his fourth combat deployment to Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

"Tyler Holtz personified the Ranger creed to the final moments of his life and his actions inspire us to do the same," said Lt. Col. David Hodne, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.

Holtz is survived by his father, Andrew Holtz of Capistrano Beach; his mother, Karen Holtz, of Dana Point; and his three brothers Luke, Hayden and Michael, all of Dana Point.

"Sgt. Holtz had the stuff from which legends are made," said Col. Mark Odom, commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment.

[Wabash]

RIP Tyler. And thank you for your service to our nation.

[ancient]

Rest in peace brave and good American and may your loved ones be blessed with comfort.

Weep from broken hearts, but Tyler will find eternal joy with our Father God in heaven.

[Luca]

Thank God for men like Tyler. Men who feel a greater call than self gratification and put their lives at risk in the service of country.

Orange County is a place where it is so easy for kids to grow up concluding that life revolves around them and their personal enjoyment. When you see a man like this who rose above it all to follow in the footsteps of legendary Americans past, it is humbling. For once, words are inadequate to the task.

I recoil from imagining what his parents must be going through. For years I dreaded that phone call and U.S. Army sedan in the driveway. There is a sense of pride and you are awed by your own son, but nothing eases the overwhelming sense of loss and depression.

For those who feel pessimism for the future of America, you might try taking a trip out to Fort Benning one day and watch the graduation ceremony of any given training battalion. You will never again ask yourself "What's wrong with kids these days?"

Tyler joins the ranks of giants. But he will be missed nonetheless. Vaya con Dios. Luca

[outsider70]

All this sillyness gets put into perspective upon news like this. God bless him his family and all the other brave men and women who put thier lives on the line everyday for us. RIP brave young man, RIP.

This other stuff just doesn't seem so important tonight.

[Notorious]

RIP I probably played against him.

At least we can hope he's in Heaven, bertstaring MD with Peter and Jesus.

[JDK0827]

Rest in peace Tyler........

[Bick]

It touches home when you have a son the same age as this young MAN.

Always Grateful,

Bick

[RPW]

Rest in peace young man.

[oceanvue]

This tears at me...No More Wars

[afan95]

I can't imagine what his family must be going through and my heart goes out to them. Tyler must have been a special player to be chosen as the call out person for the Pride Drill, a true honor.
I agree with Luca who says we should all look to these young men and women who put their lives on the line and on hold to sacrifice for our country. They are truly what is right about this nation amongst all the negativity.
God Bless you Tyler and all those who have gone before you.

[Red]

Sad news. Tyler was a good person. My sincere condolences to the Holtz and Mater Dei families.

[Ramon]

Most sincere condolences to the friends & family of Tyler...Thank you for your service & ultimate sacrifice...When one needs to find a hero in today's jaded age...One only needs to look to our Armed Forces.

[fttank]

A Toast to our fallen Monarch, Tyler Holtz...

"You may have noticed the small table set for one that is off on its own - it is reserved to honour our fallen comrades in arms. This symbolizes that they are with us, here in spirit. We should never forget the brave men and women who answered our nation's call [to serve] and served the cause of freedom in a special way. We are ever mindful that the sweetness of enduring peace has always been tainted by the bitterness of personal sacrifice. We are compelled to never forget that while we enjoy our daily pleasures, there are others who have endured the agonies of pain, deprivation and death.

I would like to explain the meaning of the items on this special table.

The table is round - to show our everlasting concern for our fallen comrades.
The tablecloth is white - symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty.
The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of our fallen comrades, and the loved ones and friends of these comrades who keep the faith.
The vase is tied with a red ribbon, symbol of our continued determination to remember our fallen comrades.
A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those who will never return.
A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by the families of those who have sacrificed all.
The Holy Book represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country.
The glass is inverted, they cannot toast with us at this time.
The chair is empty because they are no longer with us.
Let us remember - and never forget their sacrifice.

May they and their families ever be watched over and protected."

[Country]

R.I.P Ranger.

[Luca]

Was he a Ranger? Do you know the unit? Luca

[lofty]

R.I.P young man and deepest condolences to his family, loved ones and the Monarch community

[AsIfYouKnew]

Was he a Ranger? Do you know the unit? Luca

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2 ... istan.html

[Luca]

2nd Battalion, 75th Rangers. My son's old unit. That was Pat Tilman's unit (alpha Co.)

That is too sad. I'll have to see if they knew each other.

[edac25]

Very sad. My heart goes out to the young man's family and the entire MD Community. Heartbreaking when someone so damn young gets taken from you. Anyone have information about services planned? I would like attend to not only honor this great American but to show/teach my children what REAL, GENUINE heroes are all about.