GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD) — The story of a community coming together to honor late World War II veteran Gordon Hale sparked warm memories for a man who used to call him “Uncle Gordy.”
On Saturday, Scott Daniels met with 24 Hour News 8 at Hale’s final resting place at Lake Forest Cemetery in Grand Haven.
“This must be it here,” Daniels said as he looked at the freshly-turned earth at the gravesite awaiting a headstone.
Daniels said he and his five brothers and sisters spent a lot of time with Gordon Hale and his late wife Eva. In the 1960s and ’70s, the family spent holidays at Hales’ Allendale home, which is now a used car lot.
“Christmases out at the house with Aunt Eva and Uncle Gordy,” Daniels said, remembering the good times. “Coming out in the middle of the night with the whole (Santa Claus) outfit on, bells and everything, we’d all wake up and there he’d be putting stuff under the tree.”
Daniels said Hale had no children of his own and the close relationship was good for everyone.
Full story: WOOD TV