The Doughboy Foundation will sponsor the annual Bells of Peace Ceremony on Tuesday November 11, 2025, starting at 11:00 a.m. EST with prelude music by the American Expeditionary Forces Band Brass Quintet starting at 10:45 a.m. at The National World War I Memorial in Washington, DC, located on Pennsylvania Ave between 14th and 15th streets. The ceremony is free and open to the public, or can be watched via livestream on our Youtube channel.
Bells of Peace commemorates the end of World War I and honors the 4.7 million Americans who donned the uniform and the 116,516 who lost their lives in that conflict. November 11 is now Veterans Day, a day to recognize all military Veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Originally called Armistice Day, the date marked the end of hostilities in WWI and is observed as Remembrance Day in other countries.
At the National WWI Memorial, while honoring our Veterans, we will also honor and uphold the original purpose of November 11 through a multi-national commemorative ceremony, and observe the day by remembering the 4.7 million American military members who served in WWI and all those from other nations who served alongside them.
The Bells of Peace Ceremony will be live streamed starting at 1045 am
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Our keynote speaker will be 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.”
The ceremony is free and open to the public.
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.
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