thedrifter
09-21-06, 07:08 AM
Father of Marine reflects a year after death of son
By Andrea Yorke
Staff Writer
LIBERTY TWP. — Photos and a folded flag are constant, comforting reminders of Tim Bell’s son.
Marine Lance Cpl. Timothy Michael Bell Jr., a 2002 graduate of Lakota East High School, was killed a year ago today by a roadside bomb in Iraq. He served with the 325th Lima Company out of Columbus.
In addition to his son’s photos and accomplishments, Bell Sr. keeps a special Marine Corps stone in his back yard.
“For me, I have constant memories of him in the office,” he said. “We have a spot in the house where we keep his flag along with his medals. I don’t think there’s anywhere we turn without reminders. That helps us.”
The anniversary brings the Bells into a community of other families of the war dead who must deal with the emotional toll of their loved ones’ deaths long after the initial shock wears off.
Bell was one of two Marines from Butler County killed on Aug. 3, 2005. Lance Cpl. Michael Cifuentes of Oxford and Bell were among 14 killed along the western bank of the Euphrates River valley in western Iraq.
“Every death in this war is a tragedy for each family, for our military and our nation,” said Marine Lt. Col. Jeremy Martin, a Defense Department spokesman.
Keeping memories around is better than hiding them away, Bell Sr. said.
“It’s easier that way than if something pops up that all of a sudden startles you. It’s easier to have those things around,” he said.
Regardless, Bell Sr. said he deals with his loss daily.
“You deal with it most of the day every day. It’s always there,” he said. “Certainly his birthday and holidays when you’re used to everyone being there and he is not, it affects you more.”
Though the loss has been difficult, a support system of friends, family and the military has been in place since the bombing.
“That has been non-stop, especially from the Marines,” Bell Sr. said.
Even military personnel whom the Bells never met before have e-mailed to say “hello” and “are you OK?”
“The military has been the one thing that has helped. They’ve been there every turn,” he said. “They are constant e-mails making sure we’re OK. The support group is huge and its continuous.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5067 or at ayorke@coxohio.com.
Ellie
By Andrea Yorke
Staff Writer
LIBERTY TWP. — Photos and a folded flag are constant, comforting reminders of Tim Bell’s son.
Marine Lance Cpl. Timothy Michael Bell Jr., a 2002 graduate of Lakota East High School, was killed a year ago today by a roadside bomb in Iraq. He served with the 325th Lima Company out of Columbus.
In addition to his son’s photos and accomplishments, Bell Sr. keeps a special Marine Corps stone in his back yard.
“For me, I have constant memories of him in the office,” he said. “We have a spot in the house where we keep his flag along with his medals. I don’t think there’s anywhere we turn without reminders. That helps us.”
The anniversary brings the Bells into a community of other families of the war dead who must deal with the emotional toll of their loved ones’ deaths long after the initial shock wears off.
Bell was one of two Marines from Butler County killed on Aug. 3, 2005. Lance Cpl. Michael Cifuentes of Oxford and Bell were among 14 killed along the western bank of the Euphrates River valley in western Iraq.
“Every death in this war is a tragedy for each family, for our military and our nation,” said Marine Lt. Col. Jeremy Martin, a Defense Department spokesman.
Keeping memories around is better than hiding them away, Bell Sr. said.
“It’s easier that way than if something pops up that all of a sudden startles you. It’s easier to have those things around,” he said.
Regardless, Bell Sr. said he deals with his loss daily.
“You deal with it most of the day every day. It’s always there,” he said. “Certainly his birthday and holidays when you’re used to everyone being there and he is not, it affects you more.”
Though the loss has been difficult, a support system of friends, family and the military has been in place since the bombing.
“That has been non-stop, especially from the Marines,” Bell Sr. said.
Even military personnel whom the Bells never met before have e-mailed to say “hello” and “are you OK?”
“The military has been the one thing that has helped. They’ve been there every turn,” he said. “They are constant e-mails making sure we’re OK. The support group is huge and its continuous.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5067 or at ayorke@coxohio.com.
Ellie