WASHINGTON — Joe Bell, the World War II veteran who inspired not only the runners he personally touched, but internet and television audiences everywhere, has died at the age of 95.
Bell made headlines a year ago when he was captured in a video standing outside of his home dressed in his paratrooper uniform, cheering on runners in the 8-kilometer 408K Race to the Row in San Jose, Calif. The race is held each year to benefit The Pat Tillman Foundation.
His family reported that Bell died at his home of natural causes.
The video went viral and Bell ended up doing a series of media appearances, from the Today show to Fox News and Runners World.
“He opened up something in all of us,” said Juliana Paoli, chief marketing officer of the San Jose Giants, shortly after meeting him last year. The baseball club made him the first honoree to grace the front of a military baseball trading card set.
“All the runners were so excited they got to shake his hand. I think he represented something for everyone who put their lives on the line. Whether he did something he thought was heroic or not — he was heroic.”
Read more about Bell here, and check out the video that started it all:
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