Hundreds brave the cold to honor Vietnam veteran who died with few known family members

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Chris Peters

Hundreds of people stood in the chilly air of Omaha National Cemetery on Tuesday to honor a Vietnam veteran who died seemingly alone.

A line of cars stretched from the cemetery along Highway 50 to Interstate 80 at 2 p.m. Tuesday, the scheduled start time for the interment. People in military fatigues, Vietnam veteran jackets and civilian attire packed the hillside, waiting in near silence to honor a 73-year-old veteran they did not know.

Private First Class Stanley C. Stoltz was a private man. He served his country in Vietnam, but his military service record did not stand out among countless others. But when news spread that he might be buried alone and without family, a wave of support swelled, culminating in a crowd of more than 400 people at the two-year-old cemetery.

“This is the first time we’ve had this kind of crowd,” Chaplain Roy Edwards said before the ceremony. “Most get six to eight cars, 15 at most. This is hundreds.”




Read more: https://www.omaha.com/news/military/hundreds-brave-the-cold-to-honor-vietnam-veteran-who-died/article_07958f10-636f-5a19-8237-552ba6585871.html

[marble falls]

1. It would have been nice if this vet had just the smallest fraction of this crowd associated with ...

while he was alive. I sure hope he did.

[Javaman]

4. +1 nt

[nuxvomica]

2. It's so important

I sometimes think this impulse of honor and remembrance for those who are gone may be critical to our survival. It reinforces our commitment to the sanctity of human life and the importance of the individual, and provides a necessary moment of reflection and perspective before we, the living, continue on our path forward. With every soldier's funeral we may find the next war less likely. I am daily reminded of that great quote by E.M. Forster: "Death destroys a man but the idea of death can save him." Rest in peace, Pvt. Stoltz. You are not forgotten.

[usaf-vet]

3. Hand Salute !

R.I.P. Private First Class Stanley C. Stoltz





USAF Medic 65-69

[TomSlick]

5. Rest in peace.

See you in the Fiddler's Green.

[Homer Wells]

6. A very heartfelt 'Thank You'

To all who honored this fellow VN VET. So many of us served there without complaint and also without recognition or thanks.
God bless this man, and may he find peace.