Bells of Peace – Port Elgin Legion Branch 340

Photo submitted:  L-R – Sofia H, Stella H, Jacob B and Bella H. Legion President Dan Kelly is standing behind the childrenOn November 11th, 1918, when news broke of an Armistice to end the First World War… churches across the land responded by spontaneously ringing their bells.With the news came joy and a sense of hope that eased a nation’s fears and sorrow. As we commemorated Armistice, the moment was recognized through Bells of Peace ceremonies in communities across the country.

With the setting of the sun on Remembrance Day, bells tolled 100 times and, with each peal, the almost 61,000 thousand Canadians and Newfoundlanders killed were remembered along with the 172,000 wounded and the countless others who suffered invisible yet painful wounds.

As part of the 100th initiative, the Legion has also coordinated efforts with Veterans Affairs Canada to honour First World War veterans who rest – sometimes unnoticed – in ordinary cemeteries across the land. Young volunteers worked very hard to seek out their graves and placed small flags on them so they too were recognized on Remembrance Day.