On Sunday, November 11, the World of Little League® Museum and Official Store will be joining hundreds of museums from around the United States in a commemorative “Bells of Peace” event, as part of the U.S. WWI Centennial Commission, to pay tribute to the 100th Anniversary of the armistice of World War I in a salute to Veteran’s Day.
“There are more than 800 veterans of World War I who are buried in Lycoming County, and thousands more from other wars,” said Lance Van Auken, Little League Vice President and Executive Director of the Museum. “This is a simple way to honor them, and all veterans, but it’s also to honor the idea that peace is attainable.”
At precisely 11 a.m. ET, the museum will ring its bell 21 times, marking the exact moment of the conclusion of World War I. The museum’s bell is sand-cast brass and weighs about 70 lbs. and was previously used during Summer Camp to alert campers to report to the dining hall for dinner.
The memorable event will also pay tribute to the first Little Leaguer® to perish in combat, Victor Staccone. Pfc. Staccone played Little League in the 1940s and served in the U.S. Army 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. On January 26, 1951, 17-year-old Pfc. Staccone was killed in action while serving during the Korean War. More information on those veterans who were buried in Lycoming County can be found here.