Veterans Memorial Park, 700 Cushman Street (7th and Cushman)
Meet at 11:00 to ring bells at 11:11
In remembrance of the universal sense of joy felt around the world when World War I ended, and in renewal of the call for world peace, a world-wide tradition of ringing bells on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month was observed for over 35 years.
Congress declared November 11 a holiday in 1938, ” …a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day’.”
On June 1, 1954, Congress amended the Act of 1938 by deleting the word “Armistice” and inserting the word “Veterans”.
With rhetoric and patriotic symbolism have we been distracting ourselves from recognizing the majority of war’s victims?
Can we envision a world without war and still appreciate friends, family, and neighbors who have made great sacrifice?
Maybe the best way we can honor our veterans is to focus on the original meaning of this day. Please consider joining us in ringing bells for peace. You have no bell to ring? Come anyway or be creative and make your own. This could be a great art project for children.
Maybe the best way we can honor our veterans is to focus on the original meaning of this day.
Alaska Peace Center 