Bells have been used for centuries by the Navy for timekeeping, safety and communication, to sound alarms, in ceremonies and events, and to signal the presence of important persons.

During the Naval Air Station Patuxent (Pax) River Bells Across America for Fallen Service Members ceremony Sept. 22, however, the bells rung will not signal anyone's presence, but instead will toll in their absence.

"Bells Across America is a memorial event to honor and remember fallen and deceased service members," explained Melanie Frontz, installation event coordinator with Fleet and Family Support Center. "It will bring together the military community and survivors to commemorate the lives and service of the fallen."

Held in association with Gold Star Mothers' and Family's Day, everyone with base access is invited to participate in the memorial where, following an invocation by Chaplain Tristan Engle, NAS Commanding Officer Capt. Scott Starkey will read off the names of some of the deceased service members in our region. For each name read, a bell is struck one time.

"If there are Gold Star families in attendance, their family member's name will be read for sure," Frontz said, "but the idea is not just to represent only Pax River, but the fallen in general. This is the first year the ceremony will be happening nationwide."

Navy Gold Star is the Navy's official program for providing long-term support to surviving families of Sailors who pass away while on active duty.

"The program serves the families of all who died on active duty regardless of branch of service or cause of death," Frontz noted. "It serves survivors by providing support, information and services for as long as they desire."

Survivors wishing to learn more about Navy Gold Star, or wanting to register with the program, can contact Pam Valliere, Naval District Washington regional Gold Star coordinator, at pamela.valliere@navy.mil or by phoning 202-433-3059; or Patsy Jackson, Joint Base Anacostia Bolling, at patricia.l.jackson@navy.mil or by phoning 410-714-4040.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, visit http://www.navy.mil/.