WWII Vet Becomes Viral Video Star After San Jose Racers' Spontaneous Tribute

SAN JOSE -- Everyone on the block knows Joe Bell. Whether he's tinkering with his old fishing boat in the driveway or telling World War II stories from the sidewalk, neighbors always stop to chat.

Once in a while he dons his uniform, which still fits his thin, 95-year-old frame, and wears it to the senior center for lunch on Veterans Day or to meet with other vets.

When he put it on again Sunday morning, something spectacular happened. Joe stepped outside his Cape Cod-style house in San Jose's Rose Garden neighborhood to cheer on runners in a race that benefits the foundation for fallen Army Ranger Pat Tillman. One by one, the runners left the course to shake an old soldier's hand.

I live two doors down from Joe and captured the moment with my iPhone. Within 48 hours, the 45-second video went viral and was picked up by the Today Show, Good Morning America, Fox, Runners World, and a host of other media outlets.

More