“Let’s ring freedom bells!” These are the words of President John F. Kennedy when he proclaimed the ringing of the bells nationwide on Independence Day, July 4, 1963, and an organization is bringing this tradition back to life in 2013 across the nation. Carmella LaSpada, Founder of No Greater Love, is asking Americans to help get the bells ringing again on this Fourth of July and each Fourth every year from now on.
According to organizers, when the Declaration of Independence was adopted by congress on July 4, 1776, crowds that day went wild with joy and pride. In today’s observances, the true importance of this day should be given greater emphasis, according to the group. Another U.S. President, John Adams, stated that the occasion of this nation’s freedom “ought to be commemorated as a day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to our God almighty.”
LaSpada explains, “As grateful Americans, we hope to resurrect the tradition of the ringing of the bells. Let us be in tune with each other and our history by ringing bells at 2 p.m. on this July 4th in honor of the 237th Anniversary of our independence, thanking God for his blessings on our land.”
Local organizers state that it doesn’t cost money to do it. They encourage churches and civic buildings with bells to ring them and citizens to shake any bell they happen to have.“If you don’t have a bell, shake your keys or tap something on a glass to make it ring or find a bell-ringing sound on your smart phone,” suggested Brownwood resident Joyce Leidig.
Get involved with this newly revived tradition and join in by ringing the bells at 2:00 p.m. on July 4th this year and in the years to come.
