Military

Philip Holland served in World War II as a surgeon for the United States Navy. His service took him around the whole world, aboard huge ships and through vast waterways. Years after his tour of service, the military's influence on his life was still felt, as he can be seen proudly sporting his Navy uniform throughout the collection. In addition, he was a member of the United States Navy League, of which he attended its annual conventions year in and year out. The conventions were very formal and lavish, however it seems Holland mostly used them as an excuse to travel. Meeting locations included Jacksonville, San Francisco, Kauai, and Santa Monica. Holland's lifelong membership and participation in the United States Navy had a profound effect on his family and life at home as well, as his son Frank attended the Culver Summer Camps in 1942 and 1945.

Phil's use of a camera during these scenes showcases what it meant to serve in the military back then. We are the ones fortunate enough to be able to watch a timeline progression of his military career: time spent as a young cadet turns into Philip Holland passing the torch to his son at military summer camp, which turns into later years as an established veteran of the Navy League. Holland paints a picture of being a proud American, and a dutiful soldier. Coming off of a WWII victory, morale was at an all-time high, and it was all smiles in the Holland Film Collection.