No family is perfect.
There’s arguing, fighting and even periods of time where no one speaks to each other; however, for the Bell family, born out of a local coal-mining town in West Virginia, none of that exists. Among this group, there’s nothing but love for one another.
On Saturday, a group that included two uncles and eight first-cousins met at Diehl’s Family Restaurant, in Nitro, to celebrate Armed Forces Day, a day that is near and dear to their hearts considering nearly 30 members of their family are veterans.
The men began getting together at Diehl’s two years ago and now are making a tradition out of taking a day to spend time with each other and honor the two uncles, Kenny and Dennie Bell, for their service in World War II and the Korean War, respectively.
Almost all of the rest of the cousins either served in the Vietnam War or were a part of the Army Reserve.
John Harrison, who now lives in Louisville, Kentucky, and his cousin, Dennis Dunlap, were the masterminds behind the get together to celebrate their family’s “heroes†and “pick their brains†while they still have them around.
“This a great thing for me, personally. This is kind of a way to honor the uncles for everything they went through, from where they came from to now,†Harrison said.
Harrison explained how the Bell family had very humble beginnings in Brounland, starting with his grandfather, grandmother and nine children. His grandfather died in the mines in 1933, but left behind seven sons and two daughters.
Though some of their names have changed due to their mothers marrying, the family said there’s a certain sense of pride one has in knowing they’re a Bell, and most of the cousins practically grew up as brothers.
“It’s a lifetime of camaraderie,†cousin Tim Bell, a Vietnam veteran, said. “We’re a good, tight-knit family, always have been.â€
One thing that should be known about this patriotic family is that their pride for one another and their country is more than abundant.
“We’re Americans. What else can you say?†Harrison, who served in Vietnam, said. “We believe in the American way of life. We fought for the American way of life, and we try to live the American life.â€
Harrison expressed his utmost pride for his family and the sacrifices they made for not only their families, but for the United States.
Kenny Bell, 93, said the meeting is a great way for him to talk with his nephews he might not get to see very often, and expressed his love for the rest of those gathered at the table.
“I’ve got a good family,†he said. “It’s really a good day for everybody.â€
Two of the Bell family members, John and Tim, served in Vietnam at the same time and wrote letters to each other while stationed in Southeast Asia.
“As you get older, there’s just more pride and loving your country. That’s what this is all about,†said Ronnie Bell, another first cousin at the lunch.
Besides the army, the men have another thing in common — they all love cars.
Nearly all of them own antique models, particularly Studebaker, and joked that unless you own one, you’re not a Bell.
Laughter, smiles and talks of good times were ample in the empty back room at Diehl’s, and anyone could see that these men have a relationship with each other that some could only dream of.
“We love each other,†said Dunlap. “That’s the common denominator of all of this.â€
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