Joshua Holden was a founding member of ArizonaRides from our very
first drive. It was back in January 2004 when we went to Kitt Peak which
started the AZR legacy. Josh took his second voluntary tour in Iraq
and he acquired a disorder defined as PNH- Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria.
PNH is a disorder in which the most immature of the blood forming cells in
the bone marrow, the stem cells, are lacking proteins that prevent them from
being destroyed by the body. This eventually turns into leukemia. He was
VERY big on education and raising awareness of this disorder. Josh organized
a Poker Run in 2007 to raise money for the
PNH Foundation.
Josh was born on May 4, 1978 in Tokyo, Japan at Yokota Air Base and has
lived in Tucson, Arizona, for the past 26 years. After graduating from Sahuaro
High School in 1996, Joshua enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on
October 20, 1997. The units he served in included the 3rd Battalion, 7th
Marines and Bulk Fuel Company A, 6th ESB, and 4th FSSG. After serving for
8 years, Joshua enlisted with the Arizona Army National Guard where he served
in the HHC, 852nd, SPT CTR (RAOC) AZ ARNG and 180 FA BN 01 155 SP FWD 8.
Joshua was deployed to Iraq twice; once with the US Marine Corps Reserve
and with the Arizona Army National Guard. Joshua’s first tour was January
2003 until June 2003; his second tour began November 2005 until October 2006
when he was air lifted out of Iraq.
During Joshua’s last tour in Iraq, he was promoted to Staff SGT.
When at home in Tucson, Joshua worked for Discount Tire and attended Northern
Arizona University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business
Administration. Joshua belonged to many clubs and organizations which included
the VFW, Arizona Rides, and Studio West where Joshua instructed ballroom
dancing. Military awards include: Rifle Sharpshooter Badge, Sea Service
Deployment Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Letter Of Appreciation,
Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Arizona Community Support Ribbon, Iraq Campaign
Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service
Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action
Badge, and Army Commendation.
Joshua Robert Holden, passed away on October 7 2007, after a long and
courageous battle with PNH and leukemia. He touched the lives of many people
throughout his years in the military, friendships with his car club enthusiasts,
ballroom dancing and his love of family and friends all over the world. Josh,
we will miss you so much! You will never be forgotten. On November 11th,
Veterans Day, ArizonaRides held Josh's favorite drive to
Kitt Peak. ArizonaRides
will continue to hold yearly a Poker Run for the PNH Foundation. We will
keep in Josh's wishes to educate and raise awareness of the importance of
bone marrow registration and blood drives.
www.redcross.orgwww.marrow.org
Please visit the following sites to donate much needed blood and get tested
for bone marrow to see if you can have a match. You can save someone's life.
