Tribute to a flying ace

Somewhere on a not too distant horizon, a horribly sad day looms for America. Someday, our last World War II veteran will die.

For anyone who has studied the "great" world wars, a keen appreciation is honed for the courage of our soldiers in military contests where the winner took all. The chapters of that living history are all but finished.

Thankfully, Bill Bell of Coeur d'Alene is still among us. On Monday, the 89-year-old WWII combat pilot finally received three Distinguished Flying Crosses and nine Air Medals that he had earned almost 70 years ago. They were given to him thanks to some hard work behind the scenes by Dan Glovick and Scott Legaard of the Marine Corps League's Pappy Boyington detachment.

So counter to many of today's alleged heroes - the men and women who do everything in their power to draw attention to themselves, particularly in professional sports and entertainment - there wasn't a hint of anger over having not received the medals long ago. Nor was there any chest-thumping or "look at me" moments. Bell's comment, after the long-overdue awards presentation at North Star Retirement Community in Coeur d'Alene, consisted of four simple words: "It's quite an honor."

No sir, it's a hell of an honor - and handsomely deserved.

A former farmer who attended Harvard for a year, Bell is the father of a prominent local citizen: Father Pat Bell of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Several years ago, Father Pat wrote a very touching tribute to his dad for Father's Day, which was published in The Press. A theme in that story was the elder Bell's love of trains, and the affinity for railroading shared by this wonderful family.

But we digress. While they yet walk among us, these veterans should be revered. More than that, every effort should be made to hear their stories and to record their deeds. When the last World War II veteran passes on, some of the mettle that made America great will be gone forever. That's why we all must ensure that their legacies live on.