Happy what would have been 113th birthday to my dad’s father, my Grandpa Holland.

My grandfather was the oldest of twelve children. My dad was the first on that side of the family to go to college. Grandpa Holland had a tough life, was deeply traumatized by war, and spent most of his life battling alcohol and poverty. He and his brothers were all overseas when the rule made famous by “Saving Private Ryan” was established. My grandfather chose to stay deployed rather than return home, so his younger siblings could come back. He was a tank commander with Patton’s US Third Army when they ran out of gas. He flew behind enemy lines via glider. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He had nightmares about white phosphorus. He helped free a concentration camp, but I forget which one.

He succeeded in making me think he was a happy person. That’s a tremendous gift, and I appreciate it. I often say “this one’s for you” whenever I make a good decision.

One thing is for sure, my Dad and Uncle Jim turned out to be two of the most intelligent, generous, athletic, empathetic, methodical, hard-working, and kind-hearted people I’ve ever known.

-Ethan Holland