AMVETS Bell Tower - Holly, MI - Non-Specific Veteran Memorials on Waymarking.com

Standing at 40 feet tall, the silver carillon at Great Lakes National Cemetery tolled its bells and sang to the hundreds of AMVETS and guests at its dedication ceremony October 29, 2011. Michigan AMVETS have been planning the carillon's installation since the cemetery opened in 2005. The carillon at Great Lakes National Cemetery cost about $120,000, Downer said, and was funded by AMVETS Department of Michigan and several private donors.

AMVETS has put a carillon in every national cemetery throughout the world with the first carillon installed at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia in 1949. The Great Lakes National Cemetery carillon is the 98th since the program began. The new plays "God Bless America," "Taps," "Star Spangled Banner," and other patriotic music. -Source

Though the cited source refers to this bell tower as a carillon, it is not as it does not meet the minimum number required of 23 bells.

The dedication plaque at the bells is transcribed below.

Type of Memorial: Non-Specific Memorial In Honor Of: America's Veterans who served their country honorably for the cause of freedom Marker Text: AMVETS NATIONAL SERVICE FOUNDATION AND AMVETS DEPARTMENT OF MICHIGAN DEDICATED THIS CARILLON AS A LIVING MEMORIAL TO AMERICA'S VETERANS WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY HONORABLY FOR THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM GREAT LAKES NATIONAL CEMETERY HOLLY, MICHIGAN OCTOBER 29, 2011 "AS THESE BELLS RING... HONORED DEAD REST... FREEDOM LIVES." Date of dedication: 10/29/2011 Who Put it Here?: AMVETS National Service Foundation and AMVETS Department of Michigan Description of Memorial: This bell tower is a little bit different than the usual veterans memorial. From the inscription the AMVETS have dedicated to all veterans who have served. The bells ring in the entrance to the memorial section of the Great Lakes National Cemetery. Surrounding hundreds of graves at this spot are several different memorials to different wars, groups, and services. Wars mentioned (Multi-war only): Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Visited Logs must contain, at least, a picture of the monument and your GPSr. Preferably YOU at the monument with your GPSr, but we understand that some people are camera-shy.
It is suggested you please include something about your visit here, as well.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log   04/23/2024 Skyecat visited it