Addison, Holland, St. Helena Parish, Louisiana
File prepared by D.N. Pardue and submitted by Inez Bridges Tate.
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Submitted to the LAGenWeb Archives
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From "St. Helena Vets Remember World War II: Personal Interviews
With World War II Vets", published by St. Helena Historical
Association, 1995.  Compiled and edited by Inez Bridges Tate and
reprinted with permission.

     Holland Addison was born in Natalbany and grew up there.  He

graduated from Hammond High School in 1931 and enrolled at 

Southeastern Louisiana College (now University).  Holland grad-

uated from Southeastern in 1934 and began work.  He and Miss

Evelyn Sitman were married on December 31, 1938.

     With the country at war, Holland, knowing he would be drafted,

volunteered for the Navy on December 15, 1942.  He was sent to

Bainbridge, Maryland for basic training.  This was a new camp

built to accomodate the influx of men and Holland well remembers

the mud between buildings where no sidewalks existed.  Snow was

a problem to this Southern guy, especially having arrived in mid-

winter.  It was here he recalls seeing Neil Mixon as he was on

duty there too.

     Following basic training, Holland was sent to Newport, R.I.

He was assigned the duty of interviewing and classifying people

coming through.  Using the results of aptitude tests, Holland

along with others, analyzed the material to determine what the

individual was best suited to do.  They also considered the type

of training the man had prior to entering the Navy.  Classifying

for special language-needs assignments were made, too.  Books were

available to assist in completing the classifications.

     Evelyn was able to join Holland at Newport.  She traveled by

train from New Orleans and upon arrival rented an apartment.  When

Holland was not on duty, he was able to live at the apartment.

Evelyn worked for Navy supply and recalls the good food as she

was able to take her lunches at the base.  Holland said, "I just

had Navy chow."  They recalled the blackouts enforced at Newport,

remarking how very dark it was with no lights.  This was essential

in this port city.

     Holland remained at Newport for about 18 months and was

then transferred to Norfork, VA for a brief time, then on to the

Naval Air Station at Corpus Christi, TX.  There he was promoted 

to Chief Petty Officer.  Both recalled with pleasure attending a

Bob Hope performance in Corpus Christi and commented on his many

years spent entertaining the troops.  Evelyn was able to work

while here, too.

     At the end of his 18-month stay in Corpus Christi, Holland

was sent to Great Lakes Training Station, north of Chicago, to

assist in demobolization.  He remained at Great Lakes about a

month, then was sent to New Orleans Naval Air Station where he

received his discharge on November 16, 1945.

     Returning to Greensburg, he entered the General Mercantile

business with Mr. Joe Sitman, Joseph and Alphy Sitman, his

father-in-law and two brothers-in-law.  At first they formed a

partnership, then later a corporation.

     Holland settled into civilian life and when his father-in-

law retired from the Town Council, Holland was elected to fill

the vacancy.  He served on the Town Council for 43 years, seeing

many changes in the town during this time.

     Holland and Evelyn's son Mac, a physician like his great

grandfather, lives in Jackson, MS.  Mac and his wife Claudia

have three children aged 17, 13, and 10, which are the source of

great pleasure to their grandparents.

     Greensburg United Methodist Church is very important in the

life of Evelyn.  Holland enjoys membership in First Baptist

Church, Greensburg.  Both enjoy retirement and visits with friends.

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