By CHRIS MEYERS
Staff writer

     It was just a letter written as part of a school district program to send letters from students to injured Marines at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, but one student’s letter had such an effect on a Marine that his parents wanted to thank the student in person.
     So on Wednesday, Rob and Gloria Holzinger of Huntington traveled to Columbia City High School to show their appreciation to freshman Jenna Davis for her heartwarming letter to their son, Rob Holzinger Jr. — a 31-year-old Marine who has served in four tours of duty in Iraq and been seriously injured twice.
     “Your letter made a very big impact on somebody,” CCHS Principal Gregg Goewert said to Davis before she fully knew the reason why so many people were there to see her.
The Holzingers gave Davis a shirt with their son’s picture and the date he was originally wounded — Veteran’s Day, 2006.
     “Our son was lying in the streets, bleeding to death. He nearly died,” Gloria Holzinger said of her son’s first injury during a patrol.
     But the young CCHS student also received something that could be called priceless. A Wounded Warrior Battle Coin with the United States Marines Corps insignia on one side and an image on the other side of a wounded Marine being carried by two others.
     The coins cannot be bought — at least not legitimately — and can only be received if a Marine gives one to someone, Gloria Holzinger said.
     The purpose of the Wounded Warrior Project nationwide is to try to get the aid to wounded soldiers who need it and to offer any other assistance.
     Gloria and Rob Sr. said the Marines and soldiers at Camp Lejeune need support and the letters are very appreciated.
     “I just wanted to thank you, and thank you for the program,” Rob Sr. said.
Davis also has ties to the Marines, with her father having served.
     Laurie Davis, Jenna’s mother, said her husband died when Jenna was only 7 years old and she has had an interest in the armed services ever since.
     Despite being seriously injured twice, Rob Jr. told his parents recently that he decided to go back for a fifth tour of duty once he’s able.
     “He’s gone through a lot but he’s a real fighter,” Gloria Holzinger said.
     “He likes what he does and he loves the Marine Corps,” she added.

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