‘Being in a Combat Zone Is Very Intense’: Veteran of the Year Shares Insights About His Service

By David A. F. Sweet Ethan Holmes is the Veteran of the Year for Lake Forest.

In November, he’ll have completed four years of service with the Illinois Army National Guard. He joined on his 17th birthday during his junior year at Lake Forest High School. After graduation, he went to Fort Benning, Ga. to attend his basic and advanced training to be an infantry soldier. He was called to his first combat deployment in 2024, where he was stationed in the Middle East. He came home in May, and he recently began his freshman year at Illinois State University. What prompted you to join the military? I love my country, and securing a better future for friends and family is the main reason I joined the military.

Ethan Holmes in uniform in Jordan.

Ever since I was a young kid, I was always surrounded by people who were trying to give back to others. I followed that path by joining Cub Scouts, where we did many service projects and learned the importance of selfless service. I continued in scouting until I was 18 where I achieved the highest rank, Eagle Scout. My family has had many people serve in the military. One of those people is my father (Jim Holmes). He is always going above and beyond when it comes to giving back. He enlisted when he was 17, and he has been a strong member of the Lake Forest American Legion for my entire life. How has the military shaped you into who you are today?

By teaching me discipline, responsibility, and resilience. Serving in the National Guard and deploying to the Middle East has forced me to grow up fast and appreciate the things I used to take for granted. I truly value the people around me, lead when it counts, and I've learned how to stay calm under pressure.  What can you share about the experience of being in a combat zone?

Being in a combat zone is very intense, something I hope others don't have to experience. You are constantly alert; when everything feels calm, you might still be on edge, ready for things to hit the wall. Days can feel very long and stressful, but you learn to adapt quickly. One of the best things about deploying is the bond you get with your platoon. You rely on each other for everything -- your mental health, safety and survival.

Could you still be called into combat? If not, what will you do for your National Guard service going forward? Technically, I cannot be called up for another deployment until next year. Until our next deployment, we will have many training sessions, activities and the like. One thing I'm looking forward to is teaching other soldiers who have not deployed the knowledge I have gained through my experiences.  What do you hope to study at Illinois State and why?

I will hopefully be studying finance. I have always felt financially responsible; it also helps that my father and siblings (Jimmy and Morgan) all work at banks. 

The Veteran of the Year was celebrated during the Lake Forest Day Parade.

How did you react when you heard you were the Lake Forest American Legion Veteran of the Year?

I was surprised when I was chosen. I went to the American Legion a few times since coming home from deployment, and sharing my experiences with the other veterans who served in previous wars was really eye-opening on how different wartime is today. One of the biggest differences is the technology and weapon advances the world has had over the last 100 years. In my experience, ground firefights are much less common; most fights are aerial through missiles, drones and bombing in general.  Who are your military heroes and why?

Some of my military heroes are the people I served with, the ones who led from the front, stayed calm under pressure and looked out for everyone no matter what. It's easy to say names of famous veterans in history, but seeing strong leadership and courage firsthand from people I worked with every day made the biggest impact on me. The soldier that I do want to name, however, who has had the largest impact on me is my squad leader, Sergeant First Class (SFC) JP Reese. I feel my squad leader went above and beyond on our deployment, making sure every individual was checked up on, not just physically but mentally too. SFC Reese is someone whom I respect, and someone I feel I strive to be one day.