Patrick Joseph Holland (Col. Ret.) Obituary (1938 - 2023)

PATRICK JOSEPH HOLLAND ARLINGTON, VA - November 3, 2023 – Patrick Joseph Holland, age 85, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2023, in Arlington, VA. He was a devoted husband, loving father, doting grandfather, and a veteran who served his country with honor and distinction. Born in Washington, D.C. on July 16, 1938, Patrick Joseph Holland was the son of Josephine Carberry Holland and Henry E. Holland. He grew up in the heart of the nation's capital, attending St. John’s High School, where he laid the foundation for a remarkable life. His sense of duty led him to West Point, where he honed the strong work ethic that would guide him throughout his life. He served as an Army Infantry Officer earning the coveted Ranger tab and Airborne and Air Assault wings. He completed two tours in Vietnam, was a Ranger Instructor (Florida Swamp Phase), commanded the “No Slack” 2nd – 327th Infantry Battalion of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and retired as a Colonel in 1988 after an illustrious 28-year military career. He earned four Bronze Stars, one of which was for Valor and a testament to his courage under fire. During his military service, he earned a Master’s degree from George Washington University. Following his military retirement, he obtained a second Master's from Marymount University. His post-military career saw him assume leadership roles at prominent law firms in Washington D.C. In recent years, he served as a Fairfax County High School teacher, where he worked mostly at alternative schools and leveraged his gift of positively impacting the lives of teenagers. He was also active in his church. Patrick Holland is survived by his “bride” and “better half” of 63 years, Alice Wilkerson Holland, and their four children: Ashlyn Meredith Holland of McLean, VA; Shannon Carberry Holland of Charlottesville, VA; Patrick Joseph Holland, Jr., and his wife Laura of Round Hill, VA; and Shelley Holland Sines and her husband Chad of Enola, PA. He also leaves behind eight cherished grandchildren: Khegan McLane, Patrick Holland, Christian Holland, Alyssa Holland, Jeremiah Holland, Isaac Sines, Jake Sines, and Grace Sines. He is also survived by many other family members and friends who will forever cherish his enduring legacy. Patrick Holland was a role model to many, offering unwavering guidance and support to friends and family throughout his life. His kindness, strength, sense of humor, and his deep, abiding love for his family will forever be remembered and missed. In addition to his family, Patrick was an active member of Jubilee Christian Center, where he formed lasting friendships and made significant contributions to his community. A memorial service commemorating the extraordinary life of Patrick Holland will be conducted at Jubilee Christian Center, located at 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax, Virginia, on November 18, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. Following the service, a relaxed luncheon will be provided. The date for a burial ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery will be shared at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either Club Beyond /MCYM (Military Community Youth Ministries) at https://clubbeyond.org/ - or - Operation Restored Warrior at https://operationrestoredwarrior.org/ . Click this link to view additional details about Patrick's Services: https://my.gather.app/remember/patrick-holland-sr