EDITOR:
Bell ringers will gather this Remembrance Day in their respective places of worship across the country and around the world to remember the sacrifice of those who served and died in WWI. This will take place at the going down of the sun which locally is 4:44 p.m. Peace finally arrived 100 years ago and the bells of remembrance will recognize the loss to both those who served and civilians. Canadian bells will be tolled 100 times, in a manner similar to a funeral with a five second period of silence between each tolling.
The tradition of using bells as a way of communications is longstanding and many stories are told of how people in England first learned of peace through the ringing of the local church bell.
Charlottetown residents recall the end of WW II which likewise was communicated with the ringing of church bells. Allan C. McLeod, of Prince Charles Drive recalls the day in1945 when he and a friend were at the Charlottetown Driving Park. “I’ll never forget it, the bells ringing across the city and everyone looking around and wondered what it meant.” The bells established a clear memory of where he was, and who he was with.
Local churches have been contacted by the Legion and have agreed to participate in this historic event to mark the 100th anniversary of the Armistice of Nov. 11, 1918. McLeod will be among the bell ringers at the Kirk of St. James on Sunday.
Ian & Daphne Scott,
Charlottetown
