3 minute read
“Remember Bataan, Never Forget”
The march was followed by three years of deathly captivity by all who survived. They were faced with disease and starvation, including transport to forced labor camps in Asia.
Bisted said it was not until she attended another memorial service for Julius St. John Knudsen that she learned having a headstone for someone who was missing in action was even possible.
Having received his service records, Bisted said she sent the paperwork to the
Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery on July 1, 2024. On July 3, she learned because Bell hadn’t received any military honors after his death, they would be provided.
“It’s a huge relief,” Bisted said. “I mean, it’s been something that had bothered us for 83 years. We didn’t have a place for him. It bothered my grandmother, his sister, and his my great-aunt, Geraldine, his twin, and the other siblings.”
Bisted said Bell is the only one, out of 150 plus members of her family, on both her mom’s and dad’s side, who served and did not make it home and did not have a place to honor him.
Though the family attends the Bataan memorials and often lay flowers for him next to his parents grave, “We are now able to honor him the way he deserves to be honored,” Bisted said. “And my father would be very appreciative to know that now, he has a place.”
Presiding over the dedication, Chaplin Eusebia Rios, retired United States Air Force major, asked a higher power to “Look upon the families with great compassion, fill the days and moments to come with peace and faith, hope and love. We stand among heroes. We hang among brothers and sisters who have served in our armed forces, and we remember.”
“Remember Bataan, Never Forget” or email tim.speier@ brainerddispatch.com.
Portrait of a WWII soldier
Written by great niece Dottie Bisted What do you call someone who leaves school as a sophomore to work and help pay the bills? Do you call them NOBLE? We call him Uncle Gerald. What do you call someone who lies about their age to serve their country when the world is under attack? Do you call them COURAGEOUS? We call him Uncle Gerald. What do you call someone who volunteers to hold a bridge so others can fall back? Do you call them BRAVE? We call him Uncle Gerald. What do you call someone who won’t leave a wounded friend to save their own life? Do you call them HERO? We call him Uncle Gerald. What do you call someone whose family won’t believe the news of their death years later? Do you call them LOVED? We call him Uncle Gerald. What do you call someone who was all this and so much more? Do you call them SOLDIER? We call him Uncle Gerald!
Gerald J. Bell was greatly missed by his parents, James and Dottie: brothers William and George Bell; sisters Mae Whirley, Agnes Bisted, Hazel Laitila and Cassie Isle; twin Geraldine Tusler. He is also honored and remembered today by many nieces, nephews and their families.
