The City of Brundidge is participating in what they hope will be a new tradition this year. I hope so, too.

At 2 p.m. on the Fourth of July, the noon whistle in Brundidge will sound in celebration of the 237th signing of the Declaration of Independence and in support of the July 4 National Bell Ringing led by No Greater Love.

No Greater Love is a non-profit organization dedicated to “America’s fallen heroes and their families.” The group hopes to provide a sense of history to all Americans through different programs they suggest at ngl.org.

At 2 p.m., no matter where you are, NGL is encouraging people to shake their car keys, tap on glass, sound a siren, ring a bell or honk a car horn.

NGL reports that 50 years ago, President John F. Kennedy called for the ringing of the bells every year on Independence Day. The tradition has faded and NGL is asking for our help to bring it back.

Why bells? In the early 1700s, the bell was the main way people were called together – from gathering at school, announcing important news, celebrating events and warning of danger. NGL suggests that by ringing a bell on July 4 at 2 p.m., we will be connected to the nation’s founders by using “the same instrument of freedom they used to celebrate the founding of our nation to call our citizens together in celebration of freedom.”

It doesn’t cost any money to participate, so while we are off at barbecues, parades, and other Independence Day celebrations, let’s remember to use our hand bells, cowbells, sleigh bells, school bells, church bells, fire sirens, ship bells or anything else we can make noise with.

We’ve got the day off, let’s truly celebrate why.