Medina mourns soldier killed in Iraq

MEDINA, Ohio (AP) -- People, many holding American flags, lined curbsides as the funeral procession of a soldier killed in Iraq passed.
Along streets and at the city's picturesque Public Square, people stood silently during Saturday's procession for Pvt. Devin J. Grella, 21, of Medina, as it headed to the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman in Northeast Ohio.
A funeral was held at the Medina chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before about 350 people.
Grella, a member of the Mansfield-based Army Reserve 706th Transportation Company, was killed Sept. 6 when the fuel truck he was driving was struck by a homemade bomb.
Second Lt. Timothy Searcy, 32, of Baltimore, Grella's platoon leader in Iraq, said during the service that Grella "was very motivated and dedicated to his job. He kind of set an example."
Grella's brother, Darrin Grella, 29, of Medina, who spoke at the service, said the last two weeks have left his family mindful of his brother's heroism. "It was an honor to have been his brother," he said.