Runners Honor WWII Veteran During Pat Tillman Memorial Race

You know we’re all about celebrating our troops here at KISS FM. We love to post videos of soldier’s surprise homecomings, telling you all about our local Fort Bliss troops, and saluting the veterans of previous wars. Today’s video will make you smile and cry at the same time, so make sure you’re wearing waterproof mascara when you watch it!

The Pat Tillman Foundation held a race in San Jose, California over the weekend, an event that helps provide scholarships for military veterans. The race is held in San Jose because Tillman attended Leland High School there. He was a sports star in high school before he went to Arizona State, and then on to the NFL. He famously turned down a contract of $3.6 million from the Arizona Cardinals to enlist in the Army. Tillman said he enlisted because he was deeply affected by attacks of 9/11.
Fast forward to this past Sunday when the race held in his honor turned into a display of honor for a WWII veteran who went to the race in his full uniform to cheer on the runners.

Joe Bell is a 95-year-old WWII veteran, and as runners saw him, they jumped off the race course to shake his hand and thank him for his service. The smile on Joe’s face is priceless, and even though the runners didn’t stop and talk to him, the eye contact and genuine appreciation on their faces is so clear!

Thanks to Joe, and all our veterans, for their service and sacrifice to our country!