“Let’s ring freedom bells” were the words of President John F. Kennedy when he proclaimed the ringing of the bells nationwide July 4, 1963. That day, patriotic Americans set bells ringing throughout the nation. I hope to resurrect this tradition by asking the American people to ring bells again on this Fourth of July and each Fourth every year from now on.
When the Declaration of Independence was adopted July 4, 1776, crowds went wild with joy and pride. In today’s observances, the true importance of this day should be given greater emphasis.
Let us be in tune with each other and our history by ringing bells at 2 p.m. July 4 in honor of the 237th anniversary of our independence, thanking God for his blessings on our land. It doesn’t cost money to do it. I encourage churches and civic buildings with bells to ring them and citizens to shake any bell they have. If they don’t have a bell, they can shake their keys or tap something on a glass to make it ring or find a bell-ringing sound on their smart phone.
As engraved on the Liberty Bell, let us “Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.”
