Their motto: "E Pluribus Thinkum", which is Latin for, "Give 'em somethin' to think about," according to Professor Holiday. They reached the status of "legends" among vets. Millions have seen them on ABC News program, NIGHTLINE, and other television programs, as well as in magazine stories. They made "cameo" appearances in the acclaimed movie, "Born on the 4th of July", with Tom Cruise. Their adventures could be a movie. A book is "in the works". Before teaming up together, Michael and Tim also had careers apart. They were able to maintain their own individual personas and pursuits. Usually, they would each perform a solo set during Martin & Holiday concerts to show that they were two distinct artists as well as a great team. When not on the road together, they had their own gigs and projects going, even before Tim began to have health problems. So, performing solo isn't at all new to Martin, though he will admit to sometimes "feeling like the Lone Ranger without Tonto."

Above and beyond the call of music, Martin and Holiday are also co-founders of the veterans' advocacy group, Last Patrol, that has logged literally thousands of miles, marching the nation's highways on behalf of the POW/MIA issue, HEALTH matters, and other vital concerns. The first march, a three-week, 300 mile, "Journey to Remember" from Dallas to San Antonio, was in 1985. The message was "Yes, remember the Alamo! And quit telling us to forget about Vietnam!" In terms of healing, educating, reviving the brotherhood, calling attention to the issues, the march was a huge success and spawned some 40 other marches through half the states in America. One march, in 1987, the group walked 1600 miles from the Alamo to The Wall in D.C. in 66 days!

The music of Martin and Holiday served as the impetus, the inspiration for the Last Patrol. It gave purpose and meaning to the effort. But they were much more than "Pied Pipers". They were leaders. It's one thing to "talk the talk", another to "walk the walk". Martin and Holiday were dubbed, "General (E-1)" and "The Admiral (E-1)", respectively, because of their roles, but they had no real rank or authority. It was their wit, imagination, courage, tenacity, and commitment that gained them the respect and faith of the men and women who walked with them all those long hard miles.

In late 1995, Holiday was diagnosed with throat cancer. After a long, brave battle, his larynx was removed in March,1998. Such a sad and cruel irony that a voice that has done so much for so many has been silenced. A prosthetic device has been implanted that should enable him to talk. Hopefully, we have not yet heard the last of the old Doc. He is still fighting the good fight, his courage and humor in tact.

EPILOGUE: On 25 October 2000, Tim “Doc” Holiday succumbed to a lengthy battle with throat cancer. The next month in Mineola, Texas, a celebration of his life was held. Family, friends and veterans came from across the nation to mourn the gentle warrior and to recall their favorite “Doc” Holiday stories. A tape of his music, The Life and Times of Tim Holiday, can be ordered from the music section of this web site.