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He was a poet, a photographer, a war hero and the recipient of two Purple Hearts. But Walter Ray Bells presence will be missed most inside the confines of the North Castle American Legion Post 1097.He was one of the most popular guys there, son-in-law Michael J. Malloy said. We always brought him here and he was a very proud man.Bells was one of four names on vacant chairs honoring those lost at the North Castle Memorial Day ceremony inside the American Legion.Part of why we meet here is to honor these men that weve lost, Post Commander Patrick Burke said. They paid a price for freedom and we need to honor them."Bell died on Monday, May 23 at the age 90. He was an honored United States Marine and fought in World War II.The Marines were his life, daughter Gail Bell-Malloy said. He was so proud of his service and we were proud of him.Bell-Malloy said her father was partially responsible for erecting North Castles signature eagle monument and American flag near the exit ramp off of Route-22.He used to refer to it as his flag and his eagle, she said.Aside from his military career, Bell wrote a collection of poems, which his daughter said she will soon be publishing. She said poetry, nature, God, and Armonk were some of the most important things to him.
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