JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A nationwide tribute to the 100 year commemoration of the end of World War I is being planned nationwide on November 11th.
The war, which began in 1914 and officially ended 1918, is constantly referred to as the “War to End All Wars.” A war that took over 30 million lives, civilian and military, came to and end on November 11th, 1918 when the armistice ended fighting on the land, sea, and air.
North Dakota World War One Centennial Commission Chairman Darrel Dorgan says a proclamation signed by Governor Doug Burgum is requesting every bell in North Dakota be rung 21 times at 11 AM on November 11th to signal the end of the war 100 years ago.
Dorgan says they’re continuing to gather the names of those who have died in WWI, which currently stands at 1,400. He believes that there are many names they could be missing as records were not really kept well as they are today. You can find a list of those who died in WWI from North Dakota here.
Stutsman County Veterans Service Officer David Bratton will be joined by the Historic Stutsman County Courthouse Site Supervisor Steve Reidburn in reading off all the names of the 46 soldiers from Stutsman County who died in the war.
Bratton explained sort of how the reading will go on the 11th.
Residents who cannot attend any of the ceremonies in their community are encouraged to download the free mobile app “Bells of Peace”, which will toll 21 times on cell phones at 11 AM on November 11th in synchronized time with bells across the state.
The University of Jamestown will be hosting a WWI Memorial Dedication with a permanent monument to be displayed outside the Hansen Center. The ceremony at 2 PM November 11th will include a presentation of colors by the American Legion Post 14, Pledge of Allegiance, Star Spangled Banner, “Jamestown College & WWI” and the unveiling of the temporary memorial and future designs.
Local i3G Media stations will also ring bells on the airwaves with a short dedication. At 11 AM, 21 bells will toll along with the bells in each community and county.