This release from Navy Installations Command is by Stephanie Hunter, Navy Gold Star Program Analyst.
This September, Navy Installations across the fleet will be hosting the 9th Annual Bells Across America for Fallen Service Members. Bells have been used for centuries by the Navy for timekeeping, safety and communication, to sound alarms, in ceremonies and events, and to signal the presence of important persons. However, during these ceremonies, the bells rung will not signal anyone's presence, but instead will toll in their absence.
Bells Across America provides Service Members, Survivors and members of the community an opportunity to commemorate the life and service of those who died while on active duty. The ceremonies help ensure that families of the fallen know that their loved ones are remembered and that those touched by their loss have a way to pay tribute. During the ceremonies, the names of Fallen Service Members are read out loud and a bell is tolled in remembrance.
Image: Handout from the Navy Gold Star Program promoting Tolling in Remembrance of Our Nation's Fallen – Bells Across America for Fallen Service Members, September 2024, with QR code to access information on dates and locations of event. Courtesy: Navy Gold Star Program.
2024 Dates and Locations:
7 Sep Naval Reserve Center Indianapolis, IN
19 Sep NAS Meridian, MS
19 Sep NCBC Gulfport, MS
19 Sep NSA Panama City, FL
19 Sep NAS JRB New Orleans, LA
19 Sep NAS Whiting Field, FL
19 Sep NAVSTA GTMO, Cuba
19 Sep NS Mayport, FL
19 Sep NAS Key West, FL
19 Sep NAS Jacksonville, FL
19 Sep NWS Earle, NJ
19 Sep CFA Yokosuka, Japan
19 Sep NAS Whidbey Island, WA
23 Sep NSA Mid-South, TN
24 Sep NAS Patuxent River, MD
24 Sep NB Kitsap, WA
26 Sep Fort Sam Houston, TX
26 Sep JRB Fort Worth, TX
26 Sep NAS Kingsville, TX
26 Sep NCBC Port Hueneme, CA
26 Sep NAS Lemoore, CA
26 Sep NAF Atsugi, Japan
26 Sep NAWS China Lake, CA
26 Sep NAS Fallon, NV
26 Sep NSA Monterey, CA
26 Sep CFA Sasebo, Japan
26 Sep JB Charleston NWS, SC
26 Sep NSB Kings Bay, GA
26 Sep NSA Annapolis, MD
26 Sep NSA Washington, DC
26 Sep NSF Dahlgren, VA
26 Sep NSA Bethesda, MD
26 Sep NAS Pensacola, FL
26 Sep NS Norfolk, VA
26 Sep NS Great Lakes, IL
26 Sep USS Midway Museum, CA
26 Sep American Legion Post 403, IA
26 Sep SUBBASE New London, CT
26 Sep Naval Station Newport, RI
26 Sep NSA Mechanicsburg, PA
26 Sep NS Guam, Guam
26 Sep NAF El Centro, CA
There will be a limited virtual remembrance posted on the Navy Gold Star Facebook page on September 26th for those unable to attend an event in person. Visit the program website to learn more about this year’s hosting locations.
About the Navy Gold Star Program
The primary focus and mission of the Navy Gold Star Program is to provide an unprecedented level of service and commitment to our Navy Gold Star Families. Bells Across America for Fallen Service Members is one way the Navy would like to recognize the sacrifices of our Fallen Heroes and the Gold Star Families left behind.
Cover image: Sailors assigned to Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) participate in a Bells Across America ceremony on Sept. 21, 2023, to honor those who died while on active duty during the past 12 months. This memorial event is a way for the military community to honor and remember the sacrifice of fallen service members and the loved ones they left behind. NBVC is a strategically located Naval installation composed of three operating facilities: Point Mugu, Port Hueneme, and San Nicolas Island. NBVC is the home of the Pacific Seabees, West Coast E-2D Hawkeyes, three warfare centers, and 80 tenants. Courtesy: Lt.j.g. Drew Verbis, U.S. Navy.
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
