Bells of Peace Ceremony 2025

OUR SPEAKERS

The Honorable Dr Kevin Rudd AC is Australia’s Ambassador to the United States of America, taking up his posting in Washington in March 2023.

Ambassador Rudd served as Australia’s twenty-sixth Prime Minister from 2007 to 2010, then as Minister for Foreign Affairs, before a second term as Prime Minister in 2013. He was Member for Griffith in the Australian Parliament from 1998 to 2013.

Since leaving government, Ambassador Rudd has resided in the United States where he is recognised as a leading analyst of China. In 2015, he became inaugural President of the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York. In 2020, he was appointed President and CEO of the Asia Society globally and, in 2022, he founded the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis.In 2019, Ambassador Rudd was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to Indigenous reconciliation, innovative economic initiatives, and major policy reform, and through senior advisory roles with international organisations. Ambassador Rudd holds honorary positions at the Atlantic Council and Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC; the Asia Society, Schwartzman Scholars and Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New York; the Paulson Institute in Chicago; the Paris School of International Affairs at Sciences Po in Paris, France; the Chancellor Helmut Schmidt Foundation in Hamburg, Germany; and Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House in Canberra. He is founder and co-chair of an Australian charity, the National Apology Foundation, and a trustee of the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York City.

Ambassador Rudd started his diplomatic career in 1981 with postings to Beijing and Stockholm. In 1988, he was appointed Chief of Staff to the Hon Wayne Goss and served him as Premier of Queensland. He was Director-General of the Cabinet Office in Queensland from 1991 to 1995, and Senior China Consultant for KPMG from 1996 to 1998.

Ambassador Rudd graduated with Honours in Asian Studies from the Australian National University and received his PhD from Oxford University in 2022. He also studied at National Taiwan Normal University in Taipei.

New Zealand Defence Attaché Commodore Blair Gerritsen.

When he reflects back on a lengthy career, Commodore Gerritsen laughs. “It was supposed to be a couple of years and it has turned into this amazing experience.”
The self-professed ‘country boy’ from Nelson, moved to Auckland to join the Navy and hasn’t looked back. “It’s been a fantastic ride so I never got off it.”
During his career, Commodore Gerritsen has commanded ships, run global operations and worked in defence intelligence. His arrival in DC follows a stint as Defence Adviser in Canberra at the New Zealand High Commission.

In this key posting, Commodore Gerritsen aims to “bring New Zealand’s voice and unique way of seeing things to the international stage”.
“We’re never going to bring mass to any operation but we bring great people and NZDF’s well-earned reputation.”

Denise VanBuren serves as the Chair of the Board for the Doughboy Foundation. This follows her tenure as President General of the Daughters of the American Revolution, where she led a 140-member professional staff at the Washington, D.C. DAR headquarters, which includes the 4,000-seat Constitution Hall, the DAR Museum, and the DAR Library. She also oversaw more than $150 million in assets. Previously, she held positions such as First Vice President General (2016-2019), Organizing Secretary General (2013-2016), Chair of DAR Magazine (2004-2010), and served on the Public Relations (2000-2004) committees. She was the Editor of American Spirit Magazine (2004-2019). Her roles in the New York State DAR include Regent (2010-2013), Vice Regent (2007-2010), and Historian (2004-2007). At the Melzingah Chapter DAR, she served as Regent (1998–2001), Vice Regent (1995-1998), and Librarian (1992-1995).

Denise is a member of the DAR; Southern Dutchess Exchange Club; Beacon B.P.O.E.; Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War; Chelsea Yacht Club; Huguenot Society of America; Daughters of American Colonists; and Dutchess County and Beacon historical societies.

She earned a Bachelor’s degree in mass communication/journalism from St. Bonaventure University in Olean, NY, in 1983, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Mount St. Mary College in Newburgh, NY, in 1997.

Denise is married to Christopher G. Barclay and has three sons, Schuyler, Troy, and Brett VanBuren, and is a grandmother to James.

Other participants for the Bell of Peace ceremony will include representatives of the Embassies from Australia, Belgium, France, Serbia, and New Zealand, as well as the American Gold Star Mothers, The Military Order of World Wars, and the Pershing Rifles. Wreaths will be presented, the National WWI brass bell will be rung 21 times, and the solemn bugle calls of Aux Morts, Last Post, and Taps will be sounded in honor of those who gave their lives during WWI.

The ceremony is free and open to the public.