Hartford does not have an American Legion Post, but that is OK because Hartford’s veteran’s are well served by posts in Ft. Ann, Argyle, and Granville.
Paul Milligan, a member of the Ft. Ann post contacted me about tolling of church bells on Veteran’s Day to honor our veterans. The West Ft. Ann church is going to do it and he asked if Hartford might want to do it as well.
Small world because I just so happen to be the bell ringer at the Hartford Methodist Church. I told him I would be happy to do it. I contacted Seth Pitts, the Supervisor of Salem and he said he could get the “White Church” in the village of Salem to do the same. Pastor Mike Richards of the Hartford Yoked Parish will see if the bell atop the South Hartford Congregational Church is capable of ringing as well.
Veteran’s Day, which is observed on Nov 11th was originally called Armistice Day. Armistice Day celebrated the Treaty of Versailles which ended WWI on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. The old fashion way of observingArmistice Day and Veteran’s Day was to have churches thru out the USA ring their church bells for 1 minute at 11am on Nov 11th.
But in our modern times we have lost that tradition and Paul would like to bring it back. I admit that I have never heard of it but I think it is the least we can do to honor our Veteran’s. So if you happen to hear church bells ring for 1 minute at 11am on Nov. 11th, it doesn’t mean that the church is on fire, it means that we are honoring our Veterans.
Wouldn’t it be nice if this caught on thru out Washington County?
Dana
The one most asked question by veterans of all ages is, “Do people remember us and why we served?
This year in Hartford N.Y.,when the church bells
ring, they will have their answer.
Theresa, our veterans put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms we often take for granted. Tolling of the bells will fall far short of expressing our appreciation, but it is at least “something”.
My husband is a Vietnam Vet. I will tell him to be sure to listen for his church bells at 11am on Veterans Day. In my opinion all Veterans should be given the day off with pay in appreciation for their sacrifices.
Helena, Veteran’s Day is a Federal Holiday so I think many people, not just vets will have the day off with pay. All of us non veterans should find a veteran that day to thank.
My particular thanks will be heard thru out the town when they hear the bell. The Baptist Church will do it as well so we will have dueling bells. What a racket that will make !!!
Great idea! Now if one could only convince the “Director(s)” of the Hartford Veteran Monument committee to move the monument from its current location to the more appropriate place in the center of town, allowing more people to view and honor these veterans. I appreciate you have done all you can. Curious if you have ever heard a substantive reason for not wanting the move? Or, is it objection for objection’s sake…One objects because one can. I suspect the latter.
Pete
Pete, I originally wanted to have the monument moved in time for Veteran’s Day in order to have a fitting re-dedication of it. Wouldnt it have been wonderful to do it to coincide with the tolling of the bells? But alas in my opinion it was a matter of “control” and denied for the sake of personal grudges which has nothing at all to do with the intent of the monument, which is to honor our veterans.
Couldn’t agree more. Sad, but who knows, maybe it will someday happen. One can only hope….
Yups, its so realistic.Thanks for your great post.
Are you kidding me? I’m not certain I can support what you have said. But I will definitely be back to see what else you have soon.
Brandy,
You cannot support ringing of church bells to honor our veterans both alive and dead? why on earth not?
Hi All, I’m new on here and looking forward to being a part of the discussion.
Sarah, welcome.