The Honor Bell organization was formed after former U.S. Army Ranger Louis Olivera (wounded in Panama) attended the funeral service for the father of a friend who was a WW II veteran but there was no honor guard or military honors provided during the service.

The Honor Bell organization was formed in 2014 and after fund raising efforts, in 2016 commissioned a unique bell to be forged that would be tolled at veteran's funeral services during a ceremony. The Bell guard is formed by former military service personnel that volunteer their time to appear at these services, and the bell is only allowed to be tolled by those who served in military uniform.

The bell is made of bronze, however veterans from every military branch and every war war since WW II have donated various medals or other metal artifacts (belt buckles, dog tags, etc...) that have been melted into the forging. The bell is 40" tall, 37" in diameter, and weighs 1000 lbs. The specific material, size, and shape of the bell determine the sound it produces, and so the bell was forged slightly thicker than necessary so that metal could be removed to produce the desired somber tolling sound.

During the Bell Guard tolling ceremony the bell is tolled 7 times with 7 seconds between each toll, with each toll representing a different aspect to each veteran's service:

- Choice to serve

- Camaraderie

- Patriotism

- Dignity

- Respect

- Honor

- Value of life


The Verdin Company, started in 1835, is one of the oldest metal forging companies in the U.S. and while the retail value of each bell is $50,000, they have graciously negotiated the price down to $42,000. Including the cost of the bell crown, the customized van required to transport it, uniforms, marketing etc.. the Honor Bell organization is attempting to raise $200,000 for each additional bell that will cover the cost of forging and its operations for a year of veterans' funeral services.

The current Honor Bell is based at Fort Logan National Cemetery near Denver Colorado, and will occasionally be available for veterans' services in other national cemeteries throughout the state. The Bell guard appears at @ 16-18 services per week, but with an ever aging and dying veteran population, the simple truth is that thousands of veterans across the U.S. will have services without military honors being rendered, which is why the Honor Bell organization's goal is to eventually raise enough funds to provide Honor Bells at each of the almost 150 cemeteries around the U.S.

There is no charge to the veteran's family for the Honor Bell to appear at a service. Partly due to C-19 lock down restrictions and partly due to logistics and availability, the Honor Bell guard is also available for virtual tolling ceremonies online.

If you would like to request an Honor Bell guard for a veteran's funeral service, or if you are a former military veteran and would like to serve on the Honor Bell guard...or, perhaps you would like to make a donation to help fund additional Honor Bells for additional cemeteries in other states you can find their website here:

The Honor Bell Foundation





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeSGjy0p9a0




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZbqIPUl3cQ

If you would like to know more about the company that forged the bell:

Verdin Company

Veterans Day bump.