WATERLOO, Iowa — When Vietnam War-era veteran PFC-E3 Thomas J. Erpelding died on July 3, 2021, he left behind no surviving family members to mourn his passing, or celebrate his
When Vietnam War-era veteran Thomas Erpelding died July 3, 2021, he left behind no surviving family members to mourn his passing, or celebrate his life. His ashes have been held for more than two years in a locked vault. On Friday, the veteran community is mustering to provide Erpelding a memorable send-off.
Veteran Thomas G. Erpelding, 71, died in 2021, without family. Area veterans will honor him Friday with an caravan escort and military service at the state s veterans cemetery.