AMVETS donate Patriot Bell Tower and carillon to Tallahassee National Cemetery
In the culmination of a five-plus year project, AMVETS Post 1776 completed its donation of a Patriot Bell Tower and Carillon to the Tallahassee National Cemetery on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021.
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The original concept proposal from AMVETS Post 1776 to the National Cemetery Administration of the Veterans Administration was submitted on March 5, 2016 and approved by NCA/VA on Aug. 18, 2016.
The final proposal was submitted in February 2020 with a notice to proceed to construction on Dec. 23.
This project was a collaboration between AMVETS Tallahassee Post 1776, their National AMVETS Service Foundation and NCA/VA.
The Patriot Bell Tower and Carillon was built by Campbellsville Industries in Campbellsville, Kentucky, with further collaboration with local engineering firm Douglas Barkley Engineering, SOVRAN Building Systems, Meeks Electrical and Jackson Cooke Cranes, all participating in the design, construction, delivery, and installation of the Bell Tower at the National Cemetery on Feb. 12, 2021.
This Patriot Tower through its Carillon will be playing TAPS and other programable songs and Westminster chimes on demand. It is a welcome addition to the local treasure, the Tallahassee National Cemetery that serves our veteran community and their families.
AMVETS received major donations from Tallahassee's City and County Commissions, local businesses, including local funeral homes and banks and many smaller donations from individuals.
A dedication ceremony is planned for the near future once some minor landscaping is completed.
AMVETS Post 1776 is a relatively small veteran service organization with a motto claiming, “We are a small Post doing big things.”
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