By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO – There will be a visitation today (Thursday) for a Marine from Hermann, Mo. who was killed last week in Iraq.
Lance Corporal Erik Heldt died when the vehicle he died in was struck by a roadside bomb.
Relatives and friends gathered at Lambert Airport in St. Louis Wednesday for the return of Heldt's body, which was flown from Dover Air Force Base. The group stood flanking Heldt's wife, mother, and young daughter.
A procession of Marines and loved ones then began the journey home to Hermann. His family has said he chose the life of a Marine because he wanted to make a difference in other people's lives.
The funeral is set for 10:00 a.m. on Friday.