On Nov. 27, hundreds of people gathered at Omaha National Cemetery to pay their respects to Army Pfc. Stanley C. Stoltz - a man most in attendance had never met.

The Vietnam War veteran died at age 73 with few known family members.

A notice in the Omaha World-Herald inviting the public to attend Stoltz's funeral quickly went viral thanks to the efforts of community members, local organizations and even public figures.

Members of the MOAA Heartland of America Chapter, including Chief Warrant Officer 5 Dean Kenkel, USAR (Ret), were among those who shared the notice.

Kenkel, co-founder of the Nebraska Veterans Coalition, posted the notice on the group's Facebook page and emailed it to his many contacts.

The call for attendees was successful, with estimates of more than 400 people coming to honor the veteran. The outpouring of support for Stoltz made national headlines, including coverage on CBS Evening News.

“This is the first time we've had this kind of crowd,” said Chaplain Roy Edwards in an article in the Omaha World-Herald. “Most get six to eight cars, 15 at most. This is hundreds.”

According to an article in the Army Times , members of Stoltz's hospice and a few family members were among the attendees.

“It's uplifting to see how many people will come out and honor someone who is deceased and has no family,” Kenkel says. “And to see that kind of support on such a cold day, it's a big deal.” He adds, however, he wasn't surprised. “We're a very patriotic town and state.”