By Bill Bates
NEWS CORRESPONDENT
MOUNT EPHRAIM – This past 4th of July was the 30th Anniversary of the Mount Ephraim Fire Department’s \”Ringing The Freedom Bell\” which has taken place at the Lambert Avenue Firehouse, at Lambert and Station Avenue’s, every year since 1976. The bell ringing is a nation wide celebration honoring those who helped begin our independence. The celebration was started in Philadelphia, the birthplace of our nation’s freedom. In accordance with U. S. Congressional Resolution Number 25, bells across America ring 13 times at exactly 2:00 o’clock in honor of the 13 original states that the signers of the Declaration of Independence represented.
In 1976, the bell was rung for 5 continuous minutes in honor and to celebrate the Bi-Centennial of our nation. The United Fire Company kept up with the bell ringing yearly at exactly 2 o’clock every 4th of July. Even after merging with Fire Company No. 2, to form the Mount Ephraim Fire Department, the tradition has still continued every year. The bell is rung three separate times by each attendee, until each person has passed through line. John Lafferty Jr. who has been a member of the department for the past 44 years and has been at every bell ringing since its inception said \”It’s a great way to honor and remember those who have gone before us for our country\”. \”My family would not be able to celebrate the fourth of July if we did not attend this annual service. There just is not any better way an American could show patriotism.\” Chuck Dougherty, Sr. added \”I know it is a tradition that will continue as long as this fire department is a part of this community and that gives me a great sense of pride!\”
The bell and its framing, which is casted of steel, stands
6 feet
high and is
5 feet
wide. The fire bell shown in the above picture was received as a gift from the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines through the gracious efforts of Wilbur M. Hansford, a General Freight and Passenger Agent. The bell was presented to the United Fire Company in 1959, which marked the 50th Anniversary of the fire company. It replaced the community’s original fire bell which \”went to battle\” in a scrap drive during World War II. The \”Freedom Bell\” has been furnishing the Lambert Avenue Firehouse for the past 40 years. The bell, which had been neglected for a few years, recently underwent a new paint scheme and coating to match the department’s new colors, maroon and gold. The Freedom Bell will serve as a great gift to the community for many years to come as a way to honor our Independence and remember those who have served before us!