A 73-year-old Vietnam vet named Stanley Stoltz passed away in Omaha, Nebraska last Sunday. And no one could locate any family in the area.
So a local newspaper ran a one-line announcement that said anyone who wanted to go to his funeral was welcome to attend.
A local radio host also talked about it on the air, said he was going, and encouraged listeners to join him.
Vietnam vet, Stanley C Stoltz passed away at age 95 & has no known family in Omaha. The service is tomorrow at 2 PM in the Omaha National Cemetery. 144TH AND Schramn Rd. When I heard about this I felt empty but Omaha is a great city and will support. https://t.co/mBQKeBM2o1
— Jason Spicoli (@JasonSpicoli) November 26, 2018
And when the funeral happened on Tuesday, HUNDREDS of people showed up to pay their respects.
No one got an exact headcount. But there were at least 400 people there. And one estimate said it was more like FIFTEEN HUNDRED.
The chaplain at the ceremony said it’s the first time the cemetery had ever seen a crowd that big.
