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Gold medal moment for CAP honoree

  • Published
  • By Capt. William-Joseph Mojica
  • 934th Arilift Wing Public Affairs
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL AIR RESERVE STATION, Minn. --  Maj. Gen. Stayce D. Harris, Commander, 22nd Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command, presented a Congressional Gold Medal to Ms. Cecelia Bell during a ceremony Jan. 7, at the Milestone Senior Living Facility in Faribault, Minn. honoring Ms. Bell for her service in the Civil Air Patrol during World War II.

Harris began her remarks by addressing the audience and welcoming everyone to the presentation.

"Welcome everyone to a celebration of an American hero, or as I like to say an American 'shero,' Cecelia Bell," Harris said.

Since the American Revolution, Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions.

"The first Congressional Gold Medal was awarded in 1776 to General George Washington, so Cecelia, it sounds like you're in pretty good company here," Harris explained.

In addition to the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal is one of the highest civilian awards in the United States.

"The Congressional Gold Medal is an award bestowed by the United States Congress to persons who have performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient's field long after the achievement," said Harris.

Born in 1921, Ms. Bell joined the Civil Air Patrol during the summer of 1943 when her older sister Elizabeth "Betty Wall" Strohfus left the local CAP Squadron in Faribault, Minn. to join the Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs). At this time, Ms. Bell assumed the duties previously held by her sister to assist the local commander.

Ms. Bell is a member of the world's 'Greatest Generation,' a term made popular in a book by journalist Tom Brokaw to describe the generation that grew up in the United States during the deprivation of the Great Depression, and then went on to fight in World War II.

The 'Greatest Generation' also applies to those whose productivity within the wars home front made a decisive material contribution to the war effort. Brokaw argued that these men and women of the 'Greatest Generation' fought not for fame and recognition, but because it was the right thing to do.

"I would describe Cecelia and many others of her generation as great American heroes and 'sheroes' and I'm deeply honored to be allowed the privilege of presenting her with the Congressional Gold Medal today," Harris explained.

"Thank you all for coming," Bell said. "I'm overwhelmed! It was a pleasure to serve and I'm overwhelmed with the presence of all of you! It's wonderful [and] thank you all for being here! It's wonderful [and] I'm very honored!"