USS Chilton bell to be presented during one of two Memorial Day services

Published 5:21 pm Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Feelings of patriotism will be running high in Chilton County as a pair of events will take place in Chilton County in observance of Memorial Day.

The first will take place when the City of Jemison and the Jemison Lions Club will partner to host a presentation of the commissioning bell of the U.S.S. Chilton to the public.

“It is my hope that this bell will commemorate their sacrifice,” said Billy Singleton, a coordinator with the event. “That bell has never been in Chilton County before, so it is coming home.”

The second event will take place on Memorial Day and is an annual ceremony held by the Veterans Memorial Committee at the site of the memorial on the east lawn of the Chilton County Courthouse.

Thursday’s event will take place at the Jemison Municipal Complex and begin at 6:30 p.m., while Monday’s service will take place at 10 a.m. Both events are open to the public.

According to Singleton, the day will include recognition to the 106 soldiers from Chilton County that lost their lives protecting the nation.

Chilton County’s annual Memorial Day service, including last year’s (pictured) is held at the Courthouse. This year, there will be another ceremony Thursday at Jemison City Hall. (File Photo)

Chilton County’s annual Memorial Day service, including last year’s (pictured) is held at the Courthouse. This year, there will be another ceremony Thursday at Jemison City Hall. (File Photo)

The eventual plans include housing the bell permanently in the courthouse.

Command Sgt. Maj. Rex Ray is retired after 32 years in the United Sates Army and will be in attendance to deliver the observance during the event.

Morning radio personality “Dollar” Bill Lawson of 102.5 FM “The Bull” in Birmingham will serve as the master of ceremonies.

On Dec. 7, 1943, a Bayfield Class Attack-Transport ship was commissioned the USS Chilton (APA-38) in recognition of the efforts of the citizens of Chilton County to promote the sale of War Savings Bonds in support of the nation’s armed forces in Europe and Asia.

To commemorate commissioning of the vessel, a cast iron bell was installed under the forward 5-inch gun on the starboard side of the ship.

“It is very unusual for a ship to be named for a county,” Singleton said. “It was done so to memorialize the men who gave so much. We’re trying very hard to do this with dignity.”

Former crewmembers of the U.S.S. Chilton have been invited back to participate in the ceremonies.

The U.S.S. Chilton will hold a reunion in October on the U.S.S. Alabama in Mobile, and Singleton is preparing to go down there and show a recording of the ceremony presentation that took place for those who missed it.

“It has created quite a friendship between the men of that ship and the people of Chilton County,” Singleton said.