photograph
Catalog Number
2014.4.1Date of Origin
1940Description
Black and white photograph, 8" x 10", showing the National Guardsmen from Company D (renamed Company B in 1963). At the bottom of the photo, in white lettering, are the words "Company D 126th Inf. Camp Beauregard, La. November 1940".The men are identified on the back of the photograph. Some of the local men include the following (see attached photo with yellow numbers): 1. Homer C. Lokker (1915-1973), from Holland, MI, buried in Pilgrim Home.; 3. Marinus Bruursema (1919-1988), from Holland, MI, buried in Restlawn.; 5. Bill Ver Hey; 6. Harry Glatz; 8. Gerrit Glatz; 19. Gordon Zuverink; 24. Jess Nicol (1918-1943), from Fillmore, buried in Phillipines.;25. Paul Henagin (1921-1942), from Park Township, buried in Phillipines.; 26. Richard Overkamp (1917-1942), from Holland, buried in Phillipines.; 27. George Bruursema (1921-1942), from Holland, buried in Phillipines.
History
In 1921, Col. Henry Geerds founded Holland’s Company D National Guard unit.After 77 years, the unit was discontinued in a 1998 state reorganization.
The unit started as part of the Michigan Militia in 1914. Geerds applied to the state to make the company a part of the Michigan National Guard.