Bell tolled for Teddy Baker, Edward Lee Brown
Southern Ute Veterans Association Commander and Vietnam combat veteran, Howard Richards Sr. recently had the privilege of ringing the Honor Bell in Colorado Springs on Sept. 28, 2025, at the invitation of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1075. Richards provided the rendering of Bell Honors in recognition of local Vietnam veterans, Teddy Baker and Edward Lee Brown. Richards was accompanied by his grandson, Joseph Howell, an associate member of Chapter 1075.
“I was tolling the bell for two Vietnam veterans locally, Teddy Baker (U.S. Army) and the other was Edward Lee Brown (U.S. Army), both Vietnam combat veterans who are since deceased,” Richards said. “The [Vietnam Veterans of America] 1075 Chapter respects me for being a Vietnam combat veteran, and they gave me the privilege and honor of ringing that bell in honor our two local veterans.”
Southern Ute tribal members, Baker and Richards shipped out together in December 1968, right after Christmas Day from Oakland Army Base. Both left Vietnam at approximately the same time and coincidentally met up at Denver’s Stapleton International Airport on their way home, following their respective tours of duty in Vietnam.
Lee served in the Army from 1970-1972 as a Combat Engineer with the 101st Airborne in Vietnam. Born and raised in the Durango area, Lee is the father of long time Ignacio resident Shannon Brown, who organizes the annual Durango Veterans Poker Run.
Additionally, the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1075 presented the Southern Ute Veterans Association with a small replica of the Honor Bell in June of 2025 during a formal visit to Ignacio. The Association plans to display the bell in the Hall of Warriors at a future date.
Richards is a lifetime member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1075 out of Colorado Springs, Joseph Howell is an associate member, a title bestowed on him by Chapter President, Thomas Dowell and Chapter Vice President, James Ramirez several years ago. “He was presented with a yellow polo shirt in recognition of his willingness to sit at the meetings and interact with the veterans from that chapter,” Richards said. “And for his participation in his own traditions, such as Bear Dance, gourd dance and attending powwows around the region. Association members at times also do invite Joseph to march in with them as part of the Color Guard, which is a privilege of its own … to march with the colors.”
The Honor Bell Foundation, based in Colorado Springs, was founded in 2014 by a team of veterans. The Foundation forged a bronze bell, which weighs approximately 1000 pounds and is permanently housed in a mobile unit, affording the flexibility of travel to memorial services and veterans’ programs; primarily serving Fort Logan National Cemetery and Pikes Peak National Cemetery. Future expansion of their programming looks to extend those services to Southern Colorado.
According to the Honor Bell Foundation’s website, the founding principle of the Foundation is to provide an opportunity for the rendering of a respectful, final honor at military funerals and memorial services. This is accomplished with the tolling of a bell, The Honor Bell, in a manner based on tradition and respect. This practice, known as rendering Bell Honors, is the last sound heard at a funeral and is tolled with an understated, solemn and clear tone.
“The Bell Honors follow the ‘ancient tolling method,’ blending smoothly with the dignity of military traditions. Once the folded United States flag is presented to the next of kin, the Bell Guard pays tribute with the Seven Solemn Tolls of the Honor Bell. Each toll, seven seconds apart, represents different phases in a veteran’s journey. Once Bell Honors are finished, the Honor Bell falls silent until its next tolling mission.”
The Meaning of The Honor Bell’s Seven Tolls
During every veteran’s funeral or memorial service, the Bell Guard solemnly tolls the Honor Bell seven times, with seven seconds of silence between each toll. Each toll signifies a distinct stage in a veteran’s life, conveying specific meanings:
Toll One: The Choice to Serve
The Choice to Serve symbolizes the veteran’s readiness to sacrifice their life for their country—a dedication that only a few are chosen for.
Toll Two: Camaraderie
Camaraderie represents the bonds of friendship, family ties, and unity to unite all service members.
Toll Three: Patriotism
Patriotism symbolizes the veteran’s pride in their country, a commitment to defend it, and the happiness in cherishing the freedoms protected by our Constitution.
Toll Four: Respect
Respect embodies the reverence bestowed upon a veteran by their community, earned through their service and rightfully honored by us.
Toll Five: Dignity
Dignity symbolizes the respectful treatment that a veteran’s community accords to their fallen hero.
Toll Six: Honor
Honor signifies the respect owed to a deceased veteran by their fellow service members and community.
Toll Seven: The Value of Life
The Value of Life embodies the ultimate sacrifice made by the veteran. Whether lost in combat or after years of dedicated service, the worth of a veteran cannot be fully expressed in words.