Kosciusko County Extension Choir serenades the crowd and honors veterans at the American Legion and VFW Veterans Day program in 2017.

WARSAW — The bell at the Kosciusko County Courthouse will toll at 11 a.m. on Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11. The event will join a tolling of bells across the country called, “Bells of Peace: A World War I Remembrance.” 

The National tolling of bells honors those who served in the Great War.  This event is encouraged by the United States World War I Centennial Commission. The annual Veterans Day program, sponsored by American Legion Post 49 and VFW Post 1126, will be held at Center Lake Pavilion in Warsaw beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 11.  At 11 a.m. everyone will step outside to hear the bell toll at the courthouse. 

According to records, 4.7 million American families sent their sons and daughters off to World War I, and 116,516 Americans gave their lives in the war. More than 200,000 were wounded. Bells have been tolled as a traditional expression of honor and remembrance since 1918. 

November 2018 the world will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the fighting in World War I “on the eleventh month, eleventh hour and eleventh day.”

Armistice Day was changed to Veteran’s Day by Congress in 1954.  Boy Scout Troop 782 of Burket will ring the bell in the dome 21 times to remember this centennial event and all Americans who have lost their lives in service to the United States of America. 

All citizens are encouraged to observe a moment of silence at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11, or ring a bell at their church or organization if appropriate. 

“World War I was called ‘the war to end all wars’,” notes Ken Locke, Kosciusko Honor & Remember co-chairman. “The sad reality is that the 20th Century was the bloodiest in history and Americans fought around the world against Imperialism, Communism, Socialism and Nazism to name a few. The bells will be rung to remember the end of the Great War and to honor all veterans, both living and who have gone on to eternity, preserving our freedom.”