By Waseca County News

WASECA — Waseca draped itself in red, white and blue Monday as Marine Cpl. Caleb Erickson was laid to rest.

Erickson, 20, was killed Feb. 28 while serving in Afghanistan when his convoy was attacked by a suicide bomber.

Grace Lutheran Church was filled to capacity as friends and family remembered a young man with an ever-present smile.

Outside the sanctuary, flags were everywhere, stuck in roadside snowbanks, hanging high above East Elm Avenue, held by appreciative schoolchildren and in the hands of Minnesota Patriot Guard members, there to honor Erickson’s military service.

Mourners watched a photo slideshow showing a laughing boy who grew into a smiling man. The funeral told Erickson’s life story through songs such as “In the Arms of an Angel” and “Heaven was Needing a Hero.”

“Snow Bunny,” as Erickson’s fellow Marines called him, was eulogized by Gwen Katula, a relative of Caleb’s father. Katula said Erickson had been considering adding chaplain service to his Marine career. She remembered him as an excellent athlete, but as an even better sportsman. She told stories of Erickson leaving a group of girls to help another student who was being bullied.

“He had a heart of gold and it was big enough to love everyone,” Katula said.

Erickson’s aunt, Christel Scherff, said he loved being a Marine. He was a hard worker who used to say that if you weren’t dirty after work then you hadn’t worked hard enough.

The Marines symbol, Scherff said, will now mean something completely different to her. The globe will remind her that her nephew died on foreign ground; the anchor that he was his family’s rock and the eagle will remind her that he now flies with the angels.

Scherff told a few stories from Erickson’s childhood, including one about how he and some cousins briefly hopped a train, making it difficult for mourners to hold back the laughter.

The Rev. Dan Doering said Erickson was a man who liked to test the limits and he was full of energy, laughter and faith.

Doering read the Statement of Faith that Erickson wrote at his eighth grade confirmation: “Following in His calling for me to help the world.”

Erickson, a 2012 Waseca High School graduate, was remembered as living his life for others.

While there was certainly support inside the sanctuary for the fallen hero, support for Erickson and his family was also visible outside the church doors.

Gathered on the streets surround Grace Lutheran were members of the Waseca Police Department and dozens of members of the Patriot Guard, an organization comprising volunteers and veterans that offers support at the funerals of servicemen and women.

Craig Ugland, a ride captain for the Rochester chapter of the Patriot Guard and designated spokesperson for Monday’s funeral, said the group was there to show Erickson the honor he deserved.

“We’re here to show respect for the family and friends of Cpl. Erickson and their loss through his ultimate sacrifice,” Ugland said. “There is no way that our country can repay them for what they’ve lost. This is just a small way to show our thanks.”

Ugland, who was unable to serve in the military, said he joined the Patriot Guard as a way to give back to soldiers. He said Patriot Guard members had come from across the state to show their respect during the funeral.

“It’s refreshing to know that when the call is made, people will make the effort to attend these special missions,” Ugland said.

The support shown on Monday was a continuation of what began over the weekend when Erickson’s body was returned to southern Minnesota. A military and police escort carried his remains from Degner Regional Airport to Owatonna, and several hundred people lined the streets of Waseca, Owatonna and old Highway 14 to pay their respects.

Dave Thul, post commander of the Owatonna VFW, which was on hand as part of Monday’s Honor Guard for Erickson’s procession, said he was impressed by the support and respect that the area had given to Erickson and his family.

“It’s impressive, the turnout that we had on Saturday with folks from Owatonna, Albert Lea, Mankato and Rocester, the fact that people will show up for someone that wasn’t even from their hometown,” Thul said. “You expect that in Waseca, but to see that in Owatonna, where he was just passing through, was very impressive.”

Following the funeral, a long procession brought Erickson’s body to its final resting place at Woodville Cemetery. Waseca residents, including Hartley Elementary schoolchildren, once again lined the streets, taking one last chance to say goodbye to their fallen hometown hero.