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BREAKING NEWS

Air Force Capt. receives belated military funeral

  • 09/02/2020 12:13 AM
Air Force Capt. receives belated military funeral
Ellie Hyatt accepts the United States flag from a member of the Army National Guard.

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

It snowed on the day last September when Air Force Capt. Donald Hyatt was supposed to be honored with a military service at the Northern Nevada Veterans Cemetery in Fernley.

Maybe that’s why the Air Force Honor Guard from Beale Air Force Base outside of Marysville, Calif. arrived about four hours late for the service for Capt. Hyatt. Perhaps it was just a scheduling snafu.

In any event, Hyatt was laid to rest that day, albeit without the rendering of Military Funeral Honors. Instead, Hyatt’s friends and family shared a quiet memorial that day, and were long gone from the cemetery by the time the contingent from Beale AFB arrived.

Thursday, Capt. Hyatt got his honors.

The Nevada Veterans Coalition honored 23 veterans at its monthly unaccompanied ceremony on Aug. 27 at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery. One of those was Hyatt, who was given the military funeral that he didn’t get last September.

“You did a beautiful job,” a grateful Ellie Hyatt, told several members of the Veterans Coalition, after accepting the folded flag as next of kin.

Don and Ellie Hyatt met on Christmas Eve in Tokyo and were married in 1973. He had been a fighter pilot in the Air Force, and then he became a pilot for Pan American World Airways in 1966. Ellie was working as a flight attendant for Pan Am at the time. They eventually settled in Truckee.

“To receive the flag, for me, it was such an honor,” Ellie Hyatt said. “That flag has followed us around the world for 34 years.”

The veterans honored at Thursdays Unaccompanied ceremony were:

EN1 Carlyle Hatchell, Navy; E4 Charles Hamilton, Army; Y2C Joseph Jackson, Navy; SP5 Michael Hartman, Army; AN Richard Jackson, Navy; GM2 Charles Hill, Navy; SP4 Frederic Ingersoll, Army; SP4 John Beristain, Army; E4 Thomas Lelko, Air Force; Paul Martian, Marine Corps; AA Donald Rogers, Navy; E3 Elliot Sigafoos, Navy; Jimmy Stone, Army; SP4 David Whitaker, Army; PFC Laurence Gillard, Marine Corps; SP$ John Strickland, Army; SN William Kiner, Navy; SR Harvey Billsborough, Navy; TSGT Charles Boyer, Air Force; PFC Shirley Hendricks, Army; SP3 Richard Hendrickson, Army; SGT Kevin Thorpe, Army; CPT Donald Hyatt, Air Force.

Upload date: 09/02/2020 12:13 AM
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Comment author: PFB Comment text: Why can't you guys find competent contractors.. For a large municipal facility like the indoor-outdoor Fernley Swimming Pool located at 300 Cottonwood Lane, a complete ground-up commercial build or major structural renovation typically spans 6 to 12 months or longer when factoring in large-scale engineering, public municipal permitting, specialized commercial HVAC/roofing, and health department inspections. The current renovation has been- The Fernley Swimming Pool has been closed for approximately six to seven months since late February 2026 for a major roof replacement and facility renovation. Now you sat October. Soooo 8 months for a new roof. The picture shows no other renovations. Comment publication date: 9/17/26, 7:14 PM Comment source: Electrical problem delays Fernley pool opening Comment author: P Comment text: Relative of the Mayor is to over see this site. Anyone who knows Fernley KNOWS this is more of the who you are related to and know business in this town. VOTE THEM ALL OUT AND THE CALIFORNIA TRANSPLANTS. Comment publication date: 9/16/26, 10:31 PM Comment source: Lift Station Failure Released Untreated Sewage Comment author: Christopher Walsh Comment text: Could you look into the strong recurring smell around Fernley? It smells like sewage and it can be bad enough that people don’t want to be outside or open their windows. It would be helpful to get an investigative journalist help the Fernley residents get a clear answer from the City, NDEP, and any involved facilities. I was really disappointed that the smell was not disclosed by my realtor when I moved here. I enjoy Fernley and am seeing the improvements that are being made. With Appreciation Comment publication date: 9/12/26, 2:49 PM Comment source: Sewage spill near City of Fernley Municipal Well 9 Comment author: Alicia Euresti Comment text: We are all so blessed to have Pastor Matt and Mrs. Regina in this town. They have become a major part of pur family and our children adore them. Thank you both for all you do for qll of us. We love you!!!! Comment publication date: 9/6/26, 9:24 PM Comment source: Fascinating Fernley: Meet Your Neighbors at Living Faith Food Pantry Comment author: R Conley Comment text: Is the deputy receiving any additional training or reinforcing prior training? Comment publication date: 9/5/26, 10:08 AM Comment source: Inmate escapes from Fernley substation Comment author: Kayla Allen Comment text: Suzie was a wonderful woman. I was pleased to call her my "godmother" as she helped me to become a better version of myself. I think about her a lot. Comment publication date: 7/10/26, 8:31 PM Comment source: Susanne Lynn Foster
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