By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Larry Hollar Sr. of Warsaw was honored as Veteran of the Month at the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting Tuesday, June 23.

The commissioners made the decision to honor two veterans, Hollar and Ken Locke, at their June 23 meeting since they were unable to do veteran presentations during the governor’s stay-at-home order. Earlier this month, Gary Ringler received recognition as Veteran of the Month at the commissioners’ June 9 meeting.

Hollar was born in Warsaw July 11, 1941, to Wayne and Josephine Hollar.

He lived in Warsaw until 1944 when the family moved to Atwood. Hollar grew up in Atwood and attended Atwood High School, graduating in 1959.

Hollar worked for Creighton Brothers for four months following graduation. He then accepted a job with NIPSCO, where he worked until receiving draft notice and leaving for basic training in November 1963.

He completed basic training at Fort Knox, Ky. From there, he was sent to Fort Gordon, Ga. 

In September 1964, Hollar received orders for Saigon, Vietnam. From Saigon, he was sent to Vung Tai, Vietnam. 

Hollar achieved the rank of SP4. 

He was later transferred to Pleiku, Vietnam, as a member of the 362nd Signal Corps where he worked on generators.

As part of the 362nd Signal Corps, Hollar was given a special assignment which made a huge difference in the war and saved many American lives. 

After completing his tour in September 1965, he was honorably discharged and returned to Atwood. 

Hollar was able to return to his job at NIPSCO. He retired from there after 38 years of employment. 

He married Patricia Tribalski in July 1966. They have two children: Larry Hollar Jr., who works for Kosciusko County, and Melissa, who works for Cincinnati Insurance and lives in Phoenix, Ariz. 

The Hollars have four grandchildren: Austin Donovan, Alaina Donovan, Logan Donovan and Larry Hollar III.

Hollar enjoys fishing in all seasons, gardening, spending time with his grandchildren, making fly tie fishing baits, playing Suduko, watching sports, winemaking and baking bread. 

Hollar said he is “simply enjoying the good life God has given me.”