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Oct. 7, 2009
LAUREL — Don Grella can finally rest in peace.
Grella, who had been Missing In Action for more than four decades, was finally laid to rest Saturday next to his parents on a cold windy hill just outside of Laurel.
On Dec. 28, 1965, Spec. Don Grella, who grew up in Laurel, and three other men — pilot Jesse Phelps, co-pilot Kenneth Stancil and door gunner Thomas Rice — left An Khe base camp on a routine supply mission. About 10 minutes into the flight, they radioed they were having difficulty because of bad weather and darkness.
Human remains were found this year in March at a helicopter crash site after years of waiting. In June, it was confirmed some of the remains belonged to Grella and other soldiers.
“There’s sadness to confirm his death, yet relief that the journey has come to an end,” said Shirley Haase, Omaha, Grella’s only sibling.
Shirley and her husband Ron had made several trips to Washington D.C. for more than 10 years to meet with the U.S. Dept. of Defense and the National League of POW/MIA Families. They went looking for answers about the disappearance of her brother. They finally have answers.
“Dying for your country isn’t the worst thing that can happen to a man. Being forgotten is,” Shirley told the crowd at the funeral. “You are all living proof that Don is not forgotten.”
Several hundred family, friends, veterans and military personnel had gathered to honor Grella.
Oct. 7, 2009
HARTINGTON — Hartelco has been getting settled into a new facility just across the street from the building they have occupied for 85 years.
It took one year to complete the construction on Hartelco’s new building on Centre Street. Construction started in June of 2008.
The new facility is more spacious with 8,000 sq. ft. in the office building and 6,000 sq. ft. in the garage.
The new Hartelco facility includes nine offices, a work room, computer repair room, conference room and an area for storage and archive files.
The new building allows Hartelco to have all of their services under one roof, said Manager Bill Dendinger.
