‘Bells of Peace’ Will Ring in Hamilton and Throughout USA
Veterans Day this year is Sunday, November 11. This year is the 100 year anniversary of the end of World War I in 1918, and the day was declared "Armistice Day," when the truce was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. In 1954, after yet another World War, the day was renamed "Veterans Day" to recognize those who served and died in all wars. However, the World War One truce 11 a.m. time has been a major part of the commemorations. And on this centennial year, the bells will ring.
Nationally, the "Bells of Peace" movement has grown to include many towns and cities, many in Montana. And, yes, there's even a cellphone app. The Hamilton bells will be ringing 21 times (like a 21-gun salute) at 11 a.m. Sunday morning. American Legion Post Commander Ruth Cook told KLYQ the bells include the Hamilton Fire Hall, many churches, the Hamilton High School "victory bell" at the new sports complex and the Grantsdale school bell, which is next to the WWWI doughboy statue on the Ravalli County Museum lawn (pictured above). The following day, Monday, November 12, Post 47 and Auxiliary, the Marine Corps League and others will have a 2 p.m. ceremony and 21-gun salute at the doughboy statue, followed by a program in the museum about World War II POWs who were kept in Western Montana. If you don't have a bell to ring, spend a moment of silence remembering those who gave their lives in the past struggles. Also, Dominic Farrenkopf has a Veterans Day poem this week.