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10-15-09 USS Bell WWII Veterans' Reunion

Date: October 15, 2009
Description: They lived through what many refer to as the greatest generation. They are the men of the USS J. Franklin Bell APA-16, a naval attack transport that carried out nine invasions during World War II. It sent troops to Alaska and the Pacific to strengthen American defenses beginning in 1942. The ship later earned six battle stars for its service. Nine veterans from that crew -- some accompanied by their wives -- gathered Saturday in Tyler for their 22nd reunion. They came from every corner of the country. Since Wednesday, their five-day meeting stirred up old memories. On a back wall at a Holiday Inn Select South meeting room, there was a board filled with more than 200 name tags of fellow soldiers from the ship who have died. The first reunions drew as many as 68 veterans, but have dwindled, as the veterans reach their mid-80s. Photographs in this gallery were taken as the group visited the Brookshire Museum in Tyler Oct. 15, 2009. TylerPaper.com Spotted freelance photographer Jan Barton took the photos.