Thomas More College was honored to host a Bells of Peace remembrance ceremony for the first time on Veterans Day, November 11, 2021. TMC’s eligibility to host the ceremony is thanks to the Class of 2020, who gifted the College with its bell, “Anselm.” Normally heard when it rings for the Angelus three times a day, on this occasion the bell was rung twenty-one times at 11:00 AM in commemoration of the armistice that brought World War I to a close.
The ceremony—an initiative of the Doughboy Foundation and the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier—began with a short address from College president Dr. William Fahey, who reflected on the veterans in his own family. Those gathered were then led in an opening prayer by Fr. Brancich, FSSP from St. Stanislaus Church in Nashua. The bell was rung by Adam Swift ’23 in solemn remembrance of those who have served; in particular, Merrimack’s own James Herbert Ferguson and Gilbert Duncan Fraser, who died during WWI.
After the ceremonial ringing of the bell—the equivalent of a twenty-one gun salute—those present listened as Gov. Sununu’s Bells of Peace Commendation was read aloud by the Hon. Maureen C. Mooney ’97, N.H. State Representative and member of the College’s Board of Trustees. Larry Miller, a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and the vice president of the Military Officers Association of America–New Hampshire, read the poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae before gifting to the College a memorial coin and a copy of The Unknowns: The Untold Story of America’s Unknown Soldier and WWI’s Most Decorated Heroes Who Brought Him Home by Patrick K. O’Donnell for the library. The ceremony closed with the singing of the National Anthem, the lowering of the flag to half-staff, and a touching performance of Taps by one of the veterans in attendance. Afterwards, a Mass was offered in the College’s chapel for the faithful departed who lost their lives during the Great War.
Thomas More College is pleased to have taken part in such a meaningful ceremony, especially as we remember the souls of those who have gone before us during the month of November. May the souls of the faithful departed, especially those who have laid down their lives for our nation, rest in peace.
St. Martin of Tours, pray for us!
