Memorial Day 2014

Luminaria as far as the eye can see

Since 1995 the local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of Fredericksburg, VA have honored the American soldiers who died in service of their country by putting luminaria at their graves the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.

Fredericksburg's National Cemetery is dominated by the graves of Union soldiers, with some from the Spanish American War, World War I and World War II.  It is a daunting task to light one luminary for each of the 15,300 American soldiers in the National Cemetery. The Scouts are up to the task and last night we visited the cemetery to witness their efforts. It was a sobbering experience.  

There is complete silence while Taps is played every thirty minutes during the evening.