YOKOSUKA -- Rear Adm. Jimmy Pitts, Commander, Submarine Group 7 (CSG7) led a star-studded audience of U.S., Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Sailors and dignitaries in a Bells of Peace memorial event aboard Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Nov. 11.
The Bells of Peace event in Yokosuka was one of more than 60 held at U.S. and overseas naval installations to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
Adm. John Richardson, Chief of Naval Operations, directed the worldwide commemoration via naval message in order to “instill in our Sailors the significance of and a sense of pride in our Navy’s history and heritage,” and “celebrate our victory in WWI and honor our shipmates who stand and have stood the watch.”
More than four million American families sent their sons and daughters to serve in uniform during World War I, in what was known then as the Great War. According to the United States World War I Centennial Commission, 116,516 Americans died and more than 200,000 were wounded.
The 100th anniversary end of World War I remembrance provided those in attendance an opportunity to honor the sacrifices of the men and women in uniform, who served during the Great War.
“As we stand here today, we have a chance to reflect on what it means to be a patriot, on what it means to be a nation tested by war, and on both the cost and the blessings of liberty,” Pitts said.
At exactly 11:00 a.m., Chief Boatswain’s Mate Dionne Douglas from Brooklyn, New York led a moment of silence as he tolled the bell 21 times.
“It was a great honor to be chosen to represent the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I today,” said Douglas. “I was very surprised when they said they wanted me to be the honorary bell-ringer for this ceremony, but I didn’t hesitate in saying I would accept it. I felt very emotional being up there, but at the same time I wanted to represent all of the fallen who came before us. This brought all of our comrades together to share in this great experience.”
The ceremony, attended by several current and former Sailors on base as well as Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Australian Navy sailors, ended with a prayer of remembrance, and reminder of the importance of our partnerships in the Indo Pacific.
"Our global landscape has changed significantly since World War I, and thanks to enduring alliances, and a shared interest among multiple friends and partners in maintaining peace and stability, we are confident in our ability to counter the ever-evolving challenges,” said Pitts.
Submarine Group 7 is comprised of submarines deployed to the Western Pacific, four fast-attack submarines homeported in Guam, and two submarine tenders, USS Frank Cable (AS 40) and USS Emory S. Land (AS 39), also homeported in Guam. It securely conducts persistent undersea warfare and anti-submarine warfare operations in the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility covering nearly half of the Earth's surface.