Fallen Airman Bryan Bell honored

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Curt Beach
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Family of the late Senior Airman Bryan R. Bell gathered to pay tribute to the fallen hero at the fitness center named in his honor here Dec. 5, 2014.

Bell, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician from the 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron, tragically lost his life from injuries sustained when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan Jan. 5, 2012.

Team Barksdale and Bell's family and friends came out to take part in the first ever SrA Bryan R. Bell 5K Memorial Run, which will now be an annual event.

Col. Kristin Goodwin, 2nd Bomb Wing commander, spoke about the legacy and accomplishments of Bell.

"I want to take a minute to talk about an Airman who went the extra mile for all of us. I unfortunately didn't have the great honor of knowing Bryan, and to me, it's my loss. He was an exemplary Airman and an outstanding man.

"In 2007, he joined our Air Force. In 2008, he graduated from the Naval Explosive Ordnance School, and with our great fortune, he came to Barksdale Air Force Base, a proud Airman and a proud member of the 2nd Bomb Wing CE Squadron.

After a brief overview of Bell's deployment history, Goodwin addressed Bell's Air Force achievements.

"So today, we mourn the loss of Senior Airman Bell, but I want to say we celebrate this Airman and the role model he has been for each and every one of us. In all things he did, he lived by the core values of integrity, service and excellence. I would challenge all of us to honor his memory by living by those core values.

"He was successful in 209 counter-IED missions in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He was part of teams which cleared 745 miles for supply routes in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was instrumental in training not only Iraqis, but Afghans in techniques and procedures so they could be successful in c-IED missions.

"In just four years of service, he earned the Bronze Star of Valor, the Air Force Combat Action Medal, both the Air Force and the Army Commendation Medals and the Purple Heart. To say he was a patriot, to say he was a hero...is an understatement.

"As we run today, and every single day you enter the Bell Fitness Center, remember Bryan. Remember the Airmen who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

"I want to say thank you to Senior Airman Bell and to his family for coming here and celebrating with us and for giving us such a fine Airman to be part of our family. Although we talk about the mourning, about the loss, it's a day to celebrate. I want each of us to celebrate his life and the goodness and the great things he did."

Alaina Bell, Bryan's widow, also spoke about her husband to more than 320 people in attendance.

"On behalf of the family, I would like to express our gratitude. It means a lot to us to see this amount of support. This is absolutely amazing.

"Bryan was a man who wanted not only to succeed himself, but to see his peers succeed with him. If his sacrifice leads to those extra words of motivation and kindness and has made our community a better place, that alone helps us as a family to deal with our loss.

"The love that Bryan exuded is certainly felt here today, seeing many familiar faces as well as many faces of people I've never met reminds me of what I love most about our life here, this military family. It's what got us through holidays, deployments, TDYs, birthdays, and certainly helped me in my time of need when I was so far from home.

"Our family will never forget Bryan, and by the turnout here today, I can see that he's here with everyone now.

"Last week, while cruising through the t-shirt designs for the run, I received my sign. The first t-shirt I read said, 'a man can never die, so long as someone speaks his name,' and those words cannot be any truer.

"Today is proof to us all that his presence still remains and will be remembered for a long time to come. We thank everybody who had a part in making today possible, and as always, welcoming us back with open arms."

As Alaina finished speaking and made her way back to her seat with tears in her eyes, the standing-room-only crowd rose to its feet and applauded her bravery and Bryan's sacrifice.

Following the remarks, the 5K run to honor Bell began.

Airmen from the 2nd CES EOD flight arrived in EOD gear to participate in the run. One Airman ran with a ruck sack weighing more than 50 pounds, while two others ran in EOD9 bomb suits weighing more than 80 pounds.

Honor Guard Airmen displayed their support as well by running in formation.

"We just greatly appreciate everything everybody has done for us and the support our whole family has received from the military community," said Donna Aldrich, Bryan's mother. "It's amazing and greatly appreciated."

As the EOD Airmen reached the final stretch of the run, Bell's loved ones and members of Team Barksdale, who had already completed the run, ran in stride with them until they crossed the finish line.

"When you enlist in the military, a lot of people ask you why you joined, and Bryan joined for the right reasons," said Senior Airman Candice White, Bryan's sister, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

"He loved his country. He loved his job," said White, who wore a t-shirt bearing the words "My brother is my hero."

Though this day was not an easy one, memories of Bryan and his legacy will live on through the years with the annual 5K and his name eternalized in the SrA Bryan Bell Fitness Center.




Keywords: Barksdale Air Force Base, Senior Airman SrA, Bryan Richard Bell, Bryan Bell, Alaina Bell, 5K Memorial run, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, EOD, Fitness Center, hero, warrior