If I chose not to do raw edge applique on the soldiers, I would take my seam ripper and make a small enough cut into the hole so I could slip my scissors in there and trim 1/4" away from the edge of the hole so I'd have seam allowance to turn under. If I decided I wanted that hole to be something other than the quilt fabric I'd add a piece of fabric that would be slightly larger than the whole but small enough to stay within the soldier's legs. I'd sew it on first and then sew on the soldier over top of it. Cutting off the stand is also an option and would eliminate the careful cutting required to remove enough fabric so you can turn under the seam allowance on the inside of the legs.