Rowan County will hold the first-ever county-wide ringing of the bells at 11 a.m. on Veterans Day. Officials said the act serves as a tribute to the courage and dedication of veterans and reminds everyone to never forget the sacrifices made by them.
The act known as the ringing of the “Bells of Peace” has been a tradition in the American Legion since 1919, after the end of WWI. 21 bells are rung at 11 a.m. to resemble a 21-gun salute. Rowan County is the first county in the state to hold a county-wide tribute.
Bill Bolen is the President of the Rowan County Veteran’s Foundation and Museum. He said anyone who has a bell is invited to participate.
“It doesn't matter whether you're a homeowner that has a bell, if you've got a bell at your business that you want to ring. If you're at a fire department or Police Department or the courthouse or the Arts Center, anyone that's got a bell,” said Bolen.
Bolen added Rowan County schools will also participate in the event.
“The schools will be ringing all of their bells and now schools don't actually have bells in their schools anymore, so they'll be doing this digitally over their intercom systems so that the kids will be able to all participate and never even leave their classrooms,” said Bolen.
Rowan Judge Executive Harry Clark made the ringing of the bells official by signing a proclamation at the October fiscal court meeting. Officials said the goal is to repeat the event every year. Bolen said participation is also encouraged at the individual level. Those who do not have physical bells can access a digital bell here.