My brother John and I will conduct a Veterans Day ceremony at the State Capitol Rotunda in Sacramento, California, with the USMC Combat Helicopter Association Memorial Bell.

The bell, created by and under the custodianship of my brother John A. Gordon, U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam veteran, will be rung at a 1 p.m. ceremony on Veterans Day in the rotunda of the State Capitol in Sacramento. This will mark the second annual ceremony at the Capitol recognizing all U.S. veterans of all military branches.

The ceremony will be simple - the colors will be posted, the national anthem sung, the bell will be rung 21 times in memory of all the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country, Taps will be sounded and the colors retired.

The bell (see photo) is mounted on a base of “Purple Heart” wood. Its eagle-topped bracket is painted and striped in Marine Corps dress blue and red, and is fastened to the base with “Globe and Anchor” and “Silver Star” studded screws. It was designed and created for the United States Marine Corps Combat Helicopter Association by John A. Gordon. The bell has traveled throughout the country over the past two years and has been featured at reunions of USMC helicopter squadrons and the association.