Politics & Government

Fallen Macomb Co. Marine's Name to Be Added to Heart of America Memorial

The name of a Macomb County Marine who was killed last November will be added to the Heart of America Memorial.

The name of a Macomb County Marine killed in Afghanistan last year will be added to the Heart of America Memorial, which is the county's tribute to residents killed in action during the war on terror.

Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Vincent Bell, 28, was killed in Afghanistan on Nov. 30 by an improvised explosive device while he was on foot patrol.

When his mother, Pamela Alexander Bell of Macomb Township realized her son's name was missing on the memorial, she called Shelby Township's Veteran Coordinator Phil Randazzo, reported the Detroit Free Press.

Find out what's happening in Shelby-Uticawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The paper reported that Randazzo, one of the organizers of the memorial that was unveiled in July, told Bell that her son's name wasn't added because the Marine Corps listed Vincent Bell's hometown as Detroit.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Vincent Bell lived in Detroit when he enlisted in 2001, but when he re-enlisted in 2005, he and his family had moved to Clinton Township. His mother later moved to Macomb.

Find out what's happening in Shelby-Uticawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Randazzo agreed to add Bell's name to the memorial. It will be unveiled on Memorial Day 2013.

A fundraiser for the Heart of America memorial will be Sunday, Oct. 28 from noon to 8 p.m. at American Pie, located at 13440 22 Mile Road in Shelby Township. Visit with Miss Michigan, Angela Venditti, who will be present to show her support for the troops.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here