Creemore bells will ring on armistice anniversary
Bells will ring out this Remembrance Day to mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War armistice.
A century ago, bells rang out to celebrate the end of the war, on the 11th hour of the 11th day.
Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command has asked that Legions across Canada help replicate the act this year for its Bells of Peace initiative. Creemore Legion is participating, working with the congregations of St. Luke’s Anglican Church and St. John’s United Church. It is especially meaningful, said Jim Henderson of the Creemore Legion, because the bells at both churches were rung at the time of the armistice.
The community is invited to attend the ringing of the bells at dusk on Nov. 11 when citizens will take turns ringing the bells as part of a wave across the country and the world. The sound of Amazing Grace will be heard in the distance, as piper Tim Armour plays in the field between the two churches.
For the first ring, the honour goes to veterans John Knappet, who has been asked to pull the rope at St. Luke’s, and Ken Thornton, who has been asked to do the same at St. John’s. Other parishioners will each take turns until the bells ring 100 times.
To engage youth in this significant initiative, children with the help of schools and youth organizations, are encouraged to research, locate and place flags on the graves of Canadian Veterans of the Great War.
Legion branches and communities will host commemorative ceremonies and special activities to help Canada remember. At sunset (just before 5 p.m.) the bells will ring at Parliament Hill, city halls, places of worship, military bases, Naval vessels and at ceremonies across the country.
There will be a reception to follow at the Legion for both Creemore churches. Refreshments will be served and Henderson will be playing some old time tunes from the First World War era on his grandmother’s gramophone.
In Stayner, Jubilee Presbyterian Church is inviting the community to attend an ecumenical service beginning at 4:30 p.m. At dusk, the church’s chimes will sound. After a closing prayer, Rev. Darren May said those from the other denominations are planning to return to their home churches to spontaneously ring the bells.
New Lowell Legion is ringing the bell at Brentwood Hall at 6 p.m.
Earlier that day, Legions in the area will be hosting their regular Remembrance Day services.
Trina Berlo photo: St. John’s United Church steward Bill McLeod and St. Luke’s Anglican Church warden Sheila Koss are among those who will be ringing bells to mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War armistice on Nov. 11.
