AVM Bell Tolls To Remember 1000’s of Soldiers

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It may have been the bell ringing 504 times last weekend to honor the memory of soldiers that attracted the crowd at the third annual POW/MIA Remembrance 24 Hour Vigil Ceremony.

The ceremony was held Friday, Sept. 18 (National POW/MIA Recognition Day) at 4 p.m. to Saturday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m. at the All Veterans Memorial in Budd Lake. The vigil was sponsored by the Morris County American Legion in partnership with the All Veterans Alliance.

Throughout the vigil, the names of 2,578 New Jersey veterans unaccounted for from all wars were read, followed by the ringing of the Ascension Bell 21 times every hour on the hour. This was the first year the bell was used as it is the newest element to have been added to the AVM earlier this month.

“The Ascension Bell was an extraordinary addition to the vigil,” says Charlie Uhrmann, founder of the AVM and AVA. “The presence of the guard tower provides not only a visual value to the overall landscape, but a bell that reverberates one of the most spiritual intonations into the atmosphere.  Those who rang the bell did so with great honor.  It was wonderful to see each and every one of them take the duty seriously and with the utmost respect.”

Morris County American Legion Commander Amery Vasso chimes in: “The bell has now become an integral part of the vigil and many participants felt it was important to ring the bell and wanted to do so.”

Up to 250 people attended the vigil this year to hear the names of those soldiers who were either prisoners of war or missing in action, and of course hear or volunteer to ring the bell.  

“The bell was tolled 21 times on the top of each hour in honor of those whose names were read during that particular hour,” explain Uhrmann. “Since the 21-gun salute is rendered by the nation as the highest honor, we chose to toll the bell signifying the same.  The tolling of the bell was extremely popular.  There were times where we had three volunteers sharing the honor.”

Organizers says this vigil was one-of-a-kind to this area.

“I am not aware of any town in N.J. who does a 24 hour vigil,” says Vasso.

Volunteers took turns ringing the bell and reading the names, along with their

rank, service branch, date of loss and location of loss, says Vasso. 

“There were a total of 23 readers; a mixture of veterans and volunteers,” says Uhrmann.

Why 21 Tolls

“The tradition of rendering a salute by cannon originated in the 14th century as firearms and cannons came into use,” explain Uhrmann. “Since these early devices contained only one projectile, discharging them once rendered them ineffective. Originally warships fired seven-gun salutes--the number seven probably selected because of its astrological and Biblical significance. Seven planets had been identified and the phases of the moon changed every seven days. The Bible states that God rested on the seventh day after Creation, that every seventh year was sabbatical and that the seven times seventh year ushered in the Jubilee year.
“Though the 21-gun salute became the highest honor a nation rendered, the United States did not agree on this procedure until August 1875.”

Memorial Fire; Death March; Flag Lowered

While the names were being read throughout the vigil, participants maintained the Memorial Fire and cadets from the Mt. Olive High School Air Force J.R.O.T.C. participated in the Bataan Death March by each hiking 14 miles.

The commemorative march honors the 60,000 - 80,000 American and Phillipino POWs who were forcibly marched 66 miles from Saysain Point, Bagac, Bataan and Mariveles to Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac in 1942.  Exact numbers are unknown, but approximately 18,000 POW deaths occurred over the five-day trek. By completing the 14 miles the cadets will earn the Bataan Death March Memorial Ribbon.  Although the 14-mile Bataan Death Memorial March is nothing compared to what those POWs endured, it is carried out every year in order to commemorate their sacrifice.

“MOHS J.R.O.T.C reported 68 participants in the Bataan Death March; of which 47 completed at least 14 miles each, earning the Bataan Death March Memorial Ribbon,” says Uhrmann.

Other groups that participated in the vigil this year included: Representatives from the All Veterans Memorial; Morris, Warren and Sussex County American Legions; All Veterans Alliance; Daughters of the American Revolution; MOHS JROTC Air Force; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Rolling Thunder; Legion Riders; Morristown 2nd New Jersey Brigade – 7th Volunteer Infantry (re-enactors/living history.

Vigil Rings Success

Uhrmann, who has been deeply involved in the vigil every year, was pleased with this year’s event.

“This was a tremendous success,” says Uhrmann. “It was well attended, structured and very meaningful.  We had a steady stream of people express their thoughts and appreciation for what we were doing.”

Adds Vasso, “This was by far the best one, but it is an evolution, we learn each year and add and modify through lessons learned. Participation grew this year word is getting out, we had the American Legion Department of New Jersey Commander Bob Newell attend, which is a first for the vigil.

Meet the artist behind the bell.

Signs, metal art and welding have been his specialty, but now that his latest project is complete, 'bell maker' certainly adds a nice ring to his resume.

Timothy Sheldon of Lafayette, owner of Wicked Workz metal, recently created the POW/MIA/PTSD Ascension Bell Tower at the All Veterans Memorial in Budd Lake. The bell was unveiled earlier this month on Sept. 5, and then utilized for 24 hours straight Friday, Sept. 18, and Saturday, Sept. 19 during the National POW/MIA 24 Vigil Ceremony.

After hours of working on the design with Charlie Uhrmann, founder of the AVM and All Veterans Alliance, Sheldon got to work.

“Designing the bell took some time as we wanted to mock up the best design!” says Sheldon, 29. “I would say making the bell and tower took rough 40-50 hours give or take with design, prototype, build, then disassemble, then rebuild at the memorial!”
The Ascension Bell rings in as the 11th element, resonating significant purpose in remembering soldiers. During the National POW/MIA 24 Vigil Ceremony, the bell rang 21 times every hour on the hour to honor New Jersey soldiers who are missing in action or prisoners of war.

Since she founded the AVM in 2008, Uhrmann has been continuously adding new elements to the memorial which is recognized as N.J’s premier ceremonial grounds that captures the nation’s rich history, service and patriotism honoring those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

After years to conceptualize, Uhrmann designed the bell and then commissioned artist/metal craftsman Sheldon to build it. He admits this was the first bell he ever created, but he has years of experience as a creator working with metal.

Sheldon attended Sussex County Technical High School, majoring in

in CADD (Computer Added Drafting and Design).
He admits to learning most of his trade from his father.

He worked as a CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) machinist from 2011 to 2016, “But I wanted to get into something that gives me more pleasure and creativity,” he says. “I had an opportunity to go on my own and work for my father where I learned some skills and experience in welding, fabricating and such.
“My father helped me learn some stuff but mostly I just tried to learn myself especially when I make mistakes,” says Sheldon.
In 2017, Sheldon started his own company- Wicked Workz metal in Lafayette.

“We offer welding, fabrication, signs, metal art, and more,” explains Sheldon.

“I’ve never made a bell before this,” says Sheldon. “I mostly do signs, metal art, welding and fabrication.”

When asked how he knew how to make a bell and its tower, he says “Trial and error.

“I love the ability to use my mind and create something either my customer or I envision with my own hands and knowledge,” he explains.

Sheldon says his greatest challenge with the bell tower was “Making the bell resonate well and the tower collapsible for shipping or transportation.”

The exclusively deigned 24- inch bell stands 11” high and is 52”x52” square. The bell tower is made of regular steel, angle iron, bars, metal roofing, says Sheldon.

It was his previous work with the American Legion that connected him to Uhrmann.

“I did military flags for American Legion Post 91 and they recommended me to Charlie, she gave me a call and we hit it off,” says Sheldon.

He did some other work at the AVM as well.

“I designed, made and installed the memorial wall letters besides the bell tower,” he says.

 Cost of the 24 inch bell is “around $495; the bell tower complete will be around $4,950. Prices for bigger options are upon request.”
Anyone interested in purchasing a bell, bell tower or any of his services, email Sheldon at TSheldon@wickedworkz.com.

Like the other elements that encompass the AVM, the Ascension Bell Tower has  been registered with the U.S. Library of Congress.

"We're spreading the word to make Antoine Gayles lucky #7 on November 3rd." This is a paid advertisement by Antoine Gayles. Picture posted with permission. 

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