By Nathan Grote
IV Leader Editor, Oct. 6, 2011
Hundreds of mourners came out Sunday to pay their respects to
Capt. Thomas John Heitmann, who died Sept. 19, 2011, in a helicopter accident at
Camp Pendleton in California.
Capt. Heitmann, 27, attended Holy Cross Grade School and
graduated from St. Bede Academy in 2002.
At St. Bede Academy, Capt. Heitmann was a standout athlete,
being inducted with the Academy’s most successful football team to date into the
Academy’s Hall of Fame and named the 2002 News Tribune Boys Track and Field
Athlete of the Year.
An accomplished and active student, Capt. Heitmann went on to
attend Valley Forge Military College in Wayne, Pa. While there, Capt. Heitmann
became the first first-year cadet to achieve the rank of Cadet Second Lieutenant
at Valley Forge Military College.
In addition to a decorated career in the Marine Corps, Capt.
Heitmann was heavily involved in the performing arts, including a performance
with the Regimental Choir at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
The recipient of many scholarships and awards, Capt. Heitmann
was commissioned as an officer of the U.S. Marine Corps in 2008.
In 2011, Capt. Heitmann received his wings and was assigned
to fly the AH-1W Cobra attack helicopter at Camp Pendleton in California.
Hundreds more stood along U.S. 34 in Mendota to honor of
Capt. Heitmann as the funeral procession passed by.
Capt. Thomas John Heitmann was laid to rest Monday at St.
Theresa’s Catholic Cemetery in Earlville.
Several of Hetimann’s siblings had attended IVCC.