Bells Across America ceremony honors fallen heroes of North Carolina

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Honorary guests and local North Carolina leaders attended the Bells Across America ceremony at the Carolina Museum of the Marine in Jacksonville, Sept. 24. The ceremony was held as part of the U.S. Navy Gold Star Program to honor and remember the sacrifice of fallen service members and provide long-term support to their surviving families.

Bells Across America ceremonies are held nationwide each September. This year’s ceremony honored more than a dozen Gold Star families in attendance. “This is the second year we’ve been able to hold this formal event here in North Carolina” Alicia McCoy, Navy Gold Star Coordinator, said. “It’s because of the wonderful folks here at Marine Corps Installation East that this was able to take place and i am extremely grateful”

Col. Gregory Pace, deputy commander, Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, also delivered remarks emphasizing that the ceremony honored those lost and reaffirmed that their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten, nor will their families cease to be part of the installation community.

“Each name represents a life, each name represents a story; that’s why the ringing of the bell carries such meaning,” Pace said. “To our gold star families, as long as we continue to speak their names, tell their stories, and honor their service, their legacy remains a lasting part of our community.”

McCoy closed the ceremony by reading the names of service members who have fallenin the past year. She concluded, “The mission of the Gold Star Program is to ensure that our nation’s heroes are not forgotten and that their loved ones and surviving family members remain connected to the military community.”

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