November 11, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. is the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

In commemoration of this historic event, the National World War I Commission, the Federation of North Carolina Historical Societies, and the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources are coordinating the World War I Centennial Ringing of the Bells for Peace and Remembrance.

“It is my hope that Tyrrell County churches will all ring their bells at 11 a.m. on Sunday, November 11,” said county manager David Clegg.

Some older residents recall church bells ringing before every service, Sunday morning and evening and Wednesday evening. Most people could identify each bell’s distinctive sound and thus the church it represented.

There are reports that church bells in Columbia rang when news arrvied that the First World War had ended in November 1918, and the ringing was repeated when the Germans surrendered in May and the Japanese in August 1945.

The Tyrrell County Courthouse bell will ring, something that had not happened in decades.

“And I am sure that our veterans groups will want to recognize that day,” said Clegg.

American Legion Post 182 traditionally holds a Veterans Day commemorative service at 11 a.m. in Madge VanHorne Auditorium, but because November 11 this year falls on Sunday, the Legionnaires on July 9 decided to hold their service at 9 a.m. instead.

“Our program will last an hour to 75 minutes,” said Leroy Spivey, service coordinator, “and this will give time for folks to attend and then get to church or join the group at the courthouse for the bell ringing there.”