U.S. 2nd Fleet Staff Tolls “Bells of Peace”
09 November 2018
PORTSMOUTH, Va. -- Standing in the presence of a historical national treasure at Gosport Park Nov. 9, service members assigned to Commander, U.S. Second Fleet commemorated the 100
th anniversary of the singing of the Armistice that ended hostilities in World War I (WWI).
“We gather today, 100 years later, to honor those who served, to recognize the cause for which they sacrificed, and to remember those who gave the last full measure of devotion,” said Cdr. David Thames, command chaplain and master of ceremonies.
The commemoration took place at the site of a six-inch 40-caliber gun display that was fired in defense by an American merchant ship during the war. The gun, originally attached to the USS Magnolia, was utilized in the first armed action by the U.S. Navy in WWI when it returned fire on a German submarine on Apr. 19, 1917.
The sacrifices of the more than 4 million U.S. military personnel who served in support of WWI are woven deeply into the fabric of our nation’s history. On Nov. 11, 1918, after countless hours of combat and a multitude of lost lives, the gunfire on the Western Front of the war came to a halt. Although fighting continued elsewhere, the armistice between Germany and the Allies was the first step toward ending WWI.
“All of us in uniform owe a great deal of gratitude to our nation’s veterans,” said Capt. Derek Lavan, U.S. 2nd Fleet’s chief of staff. “Veterans are the foundational architects from which our service is built upon today; we stand on the shoulders of those who have come before us.”
Tolling of bells is the traditional way to mark someone’s passing. On special national occasions, bells are tolled in honor of the fallen. During the ceremony, a bell was tolled 21 times with a five-second interval honoring the 116,516 Americans who died and more than 200,000 wounded in the Great War.
“Historians debate the conduct and meaning of World War I,” said Thames. “For those of us who serve today, it is enough to recognize the courage and dedication of those who answered our nation’s call to arms, to honor those who marched and steamed and flew into harm’s way, and to celebrate the heritage of courageous service, in which we stand to this day.”