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 Harris, 22nd Air Force commander, presented a Congressional Gold Medal to Cecelia Bell during a ceremony Jan. 7 at the Milestone Senior Living Facility in Faribault, Minnesota. The Medal was awarded to Bell for her service in the Civil Air Patrol during World War II.

“Welcome everyone to a celebration of an American hero, or as I like to say an American ‘shero,’ Ms. Cecelia Bell,” Harris said as she began her remarks to an audience comprised of leaders from the Minnesota CAP, friends and family members of Bell, and residents and staff members of the Milestone Senior Living Facility. “The first Congressional Gold Medal was awarded in 1776 to Gen. George Washington. So Cecelia, it sounds like you’re in pretty good company.”

Since the American Revolution, Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. In addition to the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal is one of the highest civilian awards in the United States. The Medal is 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.

Born in 1921, Bell joined the CAP during the summer of 1943 when her older sister, Elizabeth “Betty Wall” Strohfus, left the local CAP squadron in Faribault to join the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots. At that time, Bell assumed the duties previously held by her sister, assisting the local commander in a variety of administrative tasks.

Harris referred to Bell as 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 term also applies to those whose productivity on the war’s homefront 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 also describe Cecelia and many others of her generation as great American heroes and ‘sheroes’,” Harris explained. I’m deeply honored to be allowed the privilege of presenting her with the Congressional Gold Medal today.”

“Thank you all for coming,” Bell said. “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!”