Nomination 2nd Vice President Bio:
Frank Bell, Jr. is a native of Tampa, Florida; the only child of the late Ida Mae Andrews and Frank Bell is a World War II Army Veteran. Frank is was in the United States Air Force veteran, who was a flight engineer air support operations of advanced reconnaissance aircraft in SAC (Strategic Air Command). He was assigned to air support operations… assigned flight platforms focused on sustained advanced reconnaissance aircraft such as the U-2 Dragan and SR-71 Black Bird during the Vietnam War.
In the early 1971, Bell transferred to Kennedy Space Center/Patrick AF Base. His unit aircraft operations included EC-135D and RC-135B flying platforms supporting manned and unmanned missile missions and weapons researches with lazier guided munitions. In 1975, he was Flight Engineer on EC-135 tracking aircraft for the Apollo-Soyuz mission; American-Russian Test Project. Following separation from the Air Force, Bell was employed with the City of Tampa for 28 years in the Stormwater Operations Division as an assistant manager; retiring in September 2008.
Mr. Bell’s professional and community affiliations include: the American Public Works Association-Florida, APWA (American Public Works Association)-West Coast Branch Executive Board, Hillsborough County/City of Tampa Employees Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, the Woods & Wanton Chapter-Buffalo Soldiers, Hillsborough County Veterans Council, 100 Black Men of Tampa Bay, Chairperson-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade;16 years as chair. 2017 marked 30 years of coaching in the Tampa Bay Youth Football League; currently with the Town N Country Packers as Defensive Coordinator. He has had the honor of coaching high school stand outs such as Marcus Trigg, Josh Balloon and Andre “Bubba” Caldwell, a former wide receiver with the Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos.
In 2005, Bell was named the 9th and 10th (Horse) Cavalry Associations-Buffalo Soldiers, national historian… chairing the National Historical Group. The historical group is responsible for group research, annual historical programs and presentations of the African American military experience; 1866 through 1954 and contributions to their community following separation from military service. Presentations encompasses the storied history of the Buffalo Soldier and the experience of people of color who’s military history, most of which still remains omitted from our history books.
In 2010, he was elected National Association 2nd Vice President/Membership. Bell has a passion for history, he continues to research the African American military experience; their life in the military and in their communities following separation from military service. Bell is the proud father of three and grandfather to four.