Old Main Bells to Chime "Taps" to Commemorate WW I Armistice

Photo Submitted

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 the fighting officially ended in World War I with the signing of an Armistice agreement.

For more than three decades Armistice Day was celebrated in the U.S., before the holiday became “Veterans Day” a few years after the end of World War II – and broadened into a day to honor all military veterans.

This Sunday, Nov. 11 the bells of Old Main will toll at 11 a.m. – as always – and will then ring “Taps” to mark the 100th anniversary of the original armistice, and the end of WW I. This is one of many ways the University of Arkansas will honor American veterans in its annual Veterans Week activities. Several of these events are being coordinated by the Veterans Resource and Information Center on campus.

veterans week events

• Thursday, Nov. 8: The Veterans Resource and Information Center will host it’s annual Veterans Day Breakfast Celebration, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the center, in the Garland Center. All U of A students, staff, and faculty who are military veterans are invited.
• Friday, Nov. 9: The Associated Student Government presents a Veterans Day Commemoration from 2-3 p.m. in the Reynolds Center Auditorium, with a guest speaker from Veterans Affairs.
• Friday, Nov. 9: U of A Army and Air Force ROTC cadets will handing out programs, folding a flag, and placing a wreath in honor of Veterans Day from 11 a.m. to noon at the Veterans Administration Building.
• Saturday, Nov. 10: The the Armed Forces Alumni Society and the Master of Science in Operations Management Alumni Society are hosting a catered meal for veterans during the Hog Wild Tailgate at the Arkansas Alumni House, about two and a half hours before the Razorbacks take on LSU. Veterans can register here by Nov. 7 to attend.
• Sunday, Nov 11: A ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the Armistice will be held at 6 a.m. at the National Cemetary in Fayetteville.
• Sunday, Nov. 11: At 11 a.m. the bells of Old Main will chime “Taps” in honor of the 100th anniversary of the WW I armistice.
• Sunday, Nov. 11: A screening of the classic silent film Wings will be held at 2 p.m. in the Jim and Joyce Faulkner Performing Arts Center, hosted by the Department of Communication’s Film Appreciation Society and its partners. The film portrays men who flew during the “Great War”, and is being shown to commemorate the 100th anniversary of that war’s end. Wings, was the first film to win an Oscar as Best Picture – and the only silent film to win it. This screening will feature live music by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra, a group of classically trained musicians from Boulder, Colorado.
• Monday, Nov. 12: U of A Army ROTC cadets will be conducting a Presentation of the Colors from 2-3 p.m. at Arkansas Children's Hospital Northwest in honor of their employees who are veterans.
• Tuesday, Nov. 13: The Armed Forces Alumni Society will honor veterans at a reception from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Arkansas Alumni House. The group will be collecting food items for the Veterans Resource and Information Center Food Pantry and suggests contributions such as single serve mac and cheese cups, cookies, snack packs, meal kits and water or other drinks.