He’s modest and gentle. He is as friendly as can be and extremely caring while remaining involved in Mineral County, especially when it comes to veterans, patriots and explaining flag etiquette to grade school children.

Ed Heppe has lived in Superior since he was 9 years old with most of his working years at Diamond Match Mill. He and Leslie married in 1997 and between them they have four grown children all living in Montana between Somers, Belgrade, Missoula and Superior.

Deer and elk hunting were favorite hobbies as they are with most living here plus his 20 years of an annual antelope hunting trip to eastern Montana with a couple of buddies.

Recently, Heppe was surprised and honored by the Lloyd Riding Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6238 of which he has been more than an active member.

The VFW awarded Heppe with a life membership plaque for his service as quartermaster for 35 years and tremendous involvement with the organization.

“Ed has provided leadership for military funerals being in the Honor Guard and military observances (Memorial Day, Veterans Day, etc.) and presents flags and red-poppies to the students in all 3 schools,” said Post Commander Jim DeBree, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. “He maintains the rifles, flags, bugle and equipment we use for so many different occasions each year. As he did in the Army, Ed has served our post with distinction.”

Another staunch member of the only VFW post in Mineral County is Dan Arnsan who served with the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam.

“Ed has been the heart and soul of VFW Post 6238 for many years. I was reluctant to join 16 years ago until Ed nearly twisted my arm. He is a fine, selfless person who would, literally, give you the shirt off his back. He has done more for the community than he will tell you”, Arnsan proudly states.

Just trying to nail down Heppe for this article was challenging as he has been presenting flags to third graders in Alberton, St. Regis and Superior for the past week.

Sgt. Ed Heppe was a Vietnamese Advisor and worked with the Turkish Army which kept him in the field most of the time. He spent 1970-71 in Vietnam where he survived a helicopter crash as one of two survivors and snuck through the jungle to get help for the soldier back at the crash site.

He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Army Commendation Medal which was for helping pull a tree off of an airplane with seven soldiers trapped inside.

He refused acceptance of a Purple Heart because, “A Major was awarded one for cutting his finger on a can of C-Rations and that made me mad.”

To cheapen the magnitude of this distinctive medal was not something Heppe wanted. Today, Heppe’s battle is with cancer most likely from Agent Orange, says the Veterans Administration.

Toss in diabetes that was recently discovered and you’ll find a non-complaining man who is very grateful for his family and community.

He is still serving, as so many vets with strong character and sterling values do in Mineral and Sanders counties.