MORE INFORMATION & FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to the questions participants have asked in the past. If you have a question that is not addressed here
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The first Bells of Peace was held on November 11, 2018 on the centennial anniversary of the WWI Armistice.

Per the Armistice signed between the nations of a world at war, as the clock hands pointed to the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month, the ceaseless roar of shells and rata-tat-tat of gunfire that had shaken the western front for four relentless years just stopped.

In that poignant moment; the battlefields, so long resonating with war, slowly began to fill with the tentative sweet songs of birds carrying a hint of freedom and promise. From the heart of every town to the soul of every village, church bells began to toll. Their harmonious ringing celebrating not victory, but peace, resounding with a promise of a brighter tomorrow after so many years of darkness and devastation.

After WWI, November 11th was celebrated in America as Armistice Day. Yet, as years turned to decades, and the world got embroiled in yet another devastating global war, the significance of World War I began to be pushed into obscurity. By 1954, with World War II and the Korean War shaping new narratives, Armistice Day was renamed as Veterans Day – a day to honor all those who served and sacrificed for America.

The centennial of WWI in 2018 served as a catalyst for remembering where this day of remembernace began and a new tradition for tolling bells at 11am on Veterans Day, emerged. And thus, the "Bells of Peace" was born and is establishing 11am on November 11 as a perfect moment to kick off Veterans Day with a Bells of Peace ceremony. 

Tens of thousands have pledged to "Toll The Bells" over the past 6 years including:

• Individuals

• Families with traditions of Service

• Veteran Service Organizations

  • American Legion Posts

  • VFW Posts

• DAR chapter

• Houses of Workship

• Patriotic Organizations

• Civic Groups

• Schools and school classes

• Scout troops

• Libraries

• Company Employee Organizations

• Radio Stations

• Municipalities

• Counties

• States

• And many others

While sharing a core sentiment, every Bells of Peace ceremony has its own unique essence. Whether it's a personal reflection or a community-wide event, each ceremony carries the profound appreciation for the sacrifices made by our veterans. As we come together to build and share this tradition, numerous touching and heartfelt conventions emerge. Here are some inspirations for your ceremony:

Countdown

The ceremony typically kicks off at 11am local time on November 11th, The countdown timer WebApp is cued to the clock on your computer, smartphone, or tablet. It is counting down to 11am local based on the time you have set on your device.

The Bell Tolling

The heart of the ceremony is the tolling of the bells. While some communities honor the tradition of tolling 21 times, 5 seconds apart, others choose to toll once for each veteran, paying tribute to them by name. There's also the heartwarming sight of communities where everyone, young and old, brings a bell of their own—be it hand bells, dinner bells, or any bell that resonates with them. Together, at 11am, they ring in unison, echoing the joy and gratitude for peace. If you are using the WebApp to support your ceremony, you have the choice of single tollings or a 21 bell peal.

A Moment of Reflection

Following the bell tolling, oten a poignant silence envelops the gathering. It’s a sacred time to remember and pay homage to those who gave everything for the peace and freedom we cherish today. The time of this moment varies. Typically 1 1/2 to 2 minutes is right. Too long and the crowd can get fidgety. If you are using the WebApp to help you, the timer will help you by timing up from 0. When you reach the time your want, tap the time display button.

Readings and Remarks

This segment varies beautifully across ceremonies. Some feature veterans sharing their stories, others have dignitaries or clerics conveying their thoughts, and many include readings, poetry, and anecdotes that deeply resonate with the occasion.

Taps

To conclude your Bells of Peace ceremony, the sonerous sound of Taps offers a serene and respectful nod to every veteran we remember and honor.

Many Ways - One Sentiment

Regardless of how you choose to shape your ceremony, at its heart the ceremony remains the same. Bells of Peace symbolizes a collective moment of gratitude. It's a way of saying "Thank you" to every individual who served and sacrificed. It’s a reminder that the peace and freedoms we enjoy is a precious gift of their service—a gift we must cherish and a sacrifice we must never forget.

Please Share Your Ceremony

Remember, we'd love to learn about the unique touches you bring to your Bells of Peace ceremony. Please share your moments including videos. Post your event on social media using #BellsOfPeace and #TollTheBells so we can bring them into our national channels.

IT'S HERE as a part of this website!

We used the past 5-year experience with your Bells of Peace Ceremonies to craft a web-based resource to help you conduct your Bells of Peace Ceremony. It works on all devices, moves through the steps of a typical ceremony, and adds new features.

Start here.

• Countdown Timer
• Bell Tolling (Tolls 21 bells or one at at time)
• Moment of Reflection Timer (NEW FEATURE - An up-timer )
• Taps (NEW FEATURE - Plays Taps if you have no bugler)

Join Us In Person

The event will be held at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C. on November 11, 2023, at 10:30am Eastern. The National WWI Memorial is on Pennsylvania Avenue between 14th and 15th Street NW, opposite the White House Visitor Center. SEE MAP

 Join Our LiveStream

The LiveStream will begin at 10:45am ET. You can GO TO THIS LINK and have our YouTube channel remind you when the stream is coming up.

Use the WebApp Bell Tolling feature on this website to toll the bells on your mobile device, pad, laptop or desktop computer. Use bluetooth to send it to a larger speaker or house PA system.

Play a 21 bells 5 seconds appart, or sound 1 bell per taps. When you are done tap to go to the Moment of Reflection timer.

CLICK HERE

Use the WebApp Taps feature on this website to play taps on your mobile device, pad, laptop or desktop computer. Use bluetooth to send it to a larger speaker or house PA system.

CLICK HERE

Post about your participation on social media before, during and after Nov. 11th using the hashtag #BellsOfPeace and #TollTheBells