VFW post holds bell ringing ceremony

By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press 

As Americans, it’s important to remember our origins, and continuing the tradition of celebrating the day the finished version of the Declaration of Independence was adopted is one way of doing so.
In 1963, Congress officially authorized the Let Freedom Ring National Bell Ringing Ceremony which says that it is fitting to ring bells on the 4th of July to mark the signing of the Declaration of Independence. To this end, many organizations across the United States simultaneously ring their bells 13 times, once for each of the original colonies which signed the Declaration of Independence. 
Each year, Copperas Cove’s own Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8577 and their Auxiliary takes part in this bell ringing ceremony. The VFW invited the community out to celebrate with them and to enjoy lunch afterwards.
The names of each of the original 13 colonies were called out while Herb Wright, Post Commander, solemnly rang the memorial bell once for each colony. When they hit Georgia, the final colony, Joe Kucza fired a cannon marking the end of the ceremony. Joe Kucza made the cannon himself and fires it only twice a year for the VFW’s celebrations—once for Independence Day and once for Veteran’s Day.
“I thought it went very well,” said Barbara Moore of the Auxiliary. “I’m very patriotic, so I’m standing out there trying not to cry.”
Moore said that it’s important to celebrate Independence Day and to remember and honor all our soldiers past and present.
Post Commander Herb Wright said that it’s important to him to continue the tradition of the bell ringing ceremony. He said it’s all about community and tradition which is also what the VFW is all about.
“We help soldiers, soldier’s families, and our local community,” said Wright.
Every year, the bell ringing ceremony is free and open to the public.