In the ‘60s, Paul Bell joined the Army. He served as part of the 55th Medical Group, in North Carolina, in direct support of the 82nd Airborne, eventually spending time in Germany.
After leaving the army, Paul joined the Parkview team, where he worked from 1965 until 1988 as a laboratory technologist. He even met his wife, a nurse, at Parkview.
An unfortunate incident
While moving to Huntington, Paul injured his hip. After the injury worsened, he consulted Dr. Jason Heisler, trauma and orthopedic surgeon, who confirmed he needed a hip replacement. There was just one problem. Paul was planning to go on an Honor Flight in a few months.
His care team went to work! Paul has his surgery on August 20, and began physical therapy to prepare for his flight.
An honorable journey
On October 25, Paul boarded the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. It was an experience he will never forget. The veterans went to Arlington National Cemetery to observe the Changing of Guard, the playing of Taps and an F-35 flyover in The Missing Man Formation.
Paul recently took cookies to thank the team that got him ready for his Honor Flight, but he says it doesn’t do the circumstances justice. “Saying thank you, shaking your hand, giving you a hug, isn’t close enough of what you deserve for what you did. I was blessed to have people around me that knew what they were doing. Who went above and beyond. I’m so thankful for it.”
