On a beautiful Saturday—that looked straight out of a Pixar or Disney movie—Town residents gathered together at Oak Meadow Park to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
Oak Meadow Park was established and opened to the public in 1958. As you begin digging into its history, you can’t help but come across fascinating tidbits. This includes the investigation and rediscovery of a 300-pound brass locomotive bell that had been rung each July 4 at 11am—right up to the early 1990s.
Opening the ceremony
After welcoming the crowd, with Vice Mayor Maria Ristow at his side, Mayor Rob Moore unveiled the highly polished and recently rediscovered Liberty Bell of Los Gatos. This bell had been rung since 1972. A retired colonel and WWI veteran would do the honors. Where has this 300-pound bell been? This mystery was solved by Jeff Des Jarlais’ investigation.
After the children’s parade, the Town of Los Gatos Liberty Bell would be rung again.
“Today is truly special,” Mayor Moore said in his opening speech. “We are not only celebrating the Fourth, but also the 250th birthday of the United States—and California’s 175th. In thousands of towns across this country, people are doing exactly this: coming together to celebrate two-and-one-half centuries of the bold idea of American democracy.”
Presenting the colors
Boy Scout Troop 2 of Los Gatos (the oldest in Santa Clara County, est. April 2018) presented the colors. Old Glory ascended into a windless summer sky.
After the flag was raised, the crowd was asked to stand. Hats off, the crowd became silent and hands were placed over hearts. We began in unison: “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
At the bandstand
The San Jose Wind Symphony played “The Star-Spangled Banner,” a 33-year-old tradition. Our national anthem was written by Francis Scott Key, in 1814. Its lyrics highlight themes of patriotism and the resilience of the American Flag with a plea for peace and divine protection.
Mayor Moore then headed over to a highly decorated waiting golf cart. Leading the children’s parade with Jessica Ertell at the wheel, they took off at a good clip around the meadow.
The young ones on their bicycles squealed with excitement on their decorated bicycles and scooters, keeping up with the mayor. It was now time to ring the bell.
Let freedom ring
Jeff Des Jarlais, dressed in his military service uniform, along with his eight year old daughter Sydney, rang the Los Gatos Liberty Bell 13 times, for the 13 original colonies.
This honor was bestowed upon him as he began unraveling the location of where this missing 300 pound bell had been since the 1990s.
When asked about his military service he mentioned, “Army regulations state that dress uniforms can be worn at ‘occasions of ceremony.”
Before donning the uniform, Des Jarlais consulted with Maj. Gen. Kent Hillhouse (retired), the outgoing president of the Los Gatos Veterans Memorial and Support Foundation.
Would this be proper?
The distinguished military official assured him that it would be.
Hillhouse was also in attendance for the bell-ringing
Des Jarlais was a Military Intelligence Corps officer and combat veteran (including receiving an Iraq Campaign Medal.)
Updated history of the bell
Des Jarlais has put together a well researched and thought-out history of the Los Gatos Liberty Bell at losgatoslibertybell.kamalio.com,
Where had this heavy bell been?
Here is a portion of what you’ll read on this website:
After moving to Los Gatos, California as an adult, I developed a passion for exploring our rich local history. While researching Oak Meadow Park, I came across old newspaper articles detailing the ‘Los Gatos Liberty Bell’—a historic bell that was supposed to be permanently mounted in the park. Having never seen it there, my curiosity was piqued…Local newspaper digital archives run through 1990, where the bell is last mentioned being rung in the Town Plaza alongside the town’s much larger, historic antique fire bell. (The fire bell was displayed in the Town Plaza from 1987 to 2002 and now resides at the Los Gatos Veterans Memorial). Exactly when the Liberty Bell faded from public view and stepped out of the annual Fourth of July traditions remains unclear to me.
The story of the Los Gatos Liberty Bell begins with an act of Congress. On June 26, 1963, with President John F. Kennedy in office, Congress passed Concurrent Resolution No. 25, declaring that the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence should be observed each July 4th by the ringing of bells throughout the United States…The bell rang each Independence Day at 11 a.m. for many years, joining communities across the nation in marking the holiday.
Longtime Los Gatos residents may well remember the tradition fondly. By 1967 the bell was stored throughout the year by the parks department for safekeeping, and by 1971, it was stored at the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad (BJWRR) in Oak Meadow Park when not in use for Fourth of July events.”
Mystery solved.
Mayor Moore acknowledged: Boy Scout Troop 2, the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad, Daughters of the American Revolution, the Kiwanis and the Rotary Clubs of Los Gatos, DART and CERT.
He also thanked the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Commission (DEI), Gordon Yamate (for spearheading the Handwriting the Constitution art project), The Complete Streets and Transportation Commission (for hosting the bike valet), and the Community Health and Senior Services Commission. This was a team effort.
Mayor Moore also thanked the San Jose Wind Symphony for their 33 years of playing at this event. Going on, he also lauded Town of Los Gatos staff Monica Renn and Jessica Ertell, and the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department. Chief Jamie Field and Captain Rebecca Albin were present in full uniform. Parks and Public Works employees helped ensure that this event ran smoothly. “Many hands make light work.”
I thank you mayor and the feeling of your short time in office reminded me of someone who is getting forgotten. Remember if you can: John F. Kennedy, our 35th President (the youngest person elected to this office), said in his inaugural speech, in 1961, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
Des Jarlais exemplifies this feeling as well, letting freedom continue to ring, as he sounded the Los Gatos Liberty Bell, alongside his daughter.
