AT EACH FUNERAL OR MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR A VETERAN, THE BELL GUARD TOLLS THE HONOR BELL SEVEN TIMES.
THE BELL IS TOLLED SEVEN TIMES, WITH SEVEN SECONDS BETWEEN EACH TOLL. THE SEVEN TOLLS REPRESENT THE MANY STAGES IN A VETERAN’S LIFE. EACH TOLL HAS A SPECIFIC MEANING:
THE HONOR BELL BEING TOLLED AT A SERVICE FOR UNCLAIMED REMAINS AT FORT LOGAN NATIONAL CEMETERY IN DENVER, COLORADO.
Toll One: The Choice to Serve
This toll represents the veteran’s willingness to sacrifice their life for their country; a dedication to which few are called.
Toll Two: Camaraderie
The second toll represents the friendships, family, and unity that bond all service members together.
Toll Three: Patriotism
The third toll represents the veteran’s pride in their country, a duty to protect it, and the joy in celebrating the freedoms enshrined in our Constitution.
Toll Four: Respect
The fourth toll represents the respect given to a veteran by their community, earned by them and owed by us, for their service.
Toll Five: Dignity
The fifth toll represents the dignity with which a veteran’s community treats their fallen hero.
Toll Six: Honor
The sixth toll represents the honor that is due to a veteran when they have died, given by their fellow service members and community.
Toll Seven: The Value of Life
The seventh toll represents the ultimate sacrifice that the veteran has made. Whether killed in action, or after long years of quiet service, the value of a veteran cannot be adequately described by words alone.