Fredericksburg Annual Luminaria

{Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center}

To honor those that have and are serving our country, our family and our good friends (the N family), drove to the Fredericksburg National Cemetery for a special event they put on called "Annual Luminaria." They gave us a hand out with information about the event that was interesting, so I thought I'd include it here...

2010 Fredericksburg National Cemetery Luminaria

"In 1995, representatives of the local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts approached National Park Service officials in Fredericksburg with the idea of starting an Annual Luminaria program to honor American soldiers who had died in service to their country. The National Park Service enthusiastically embraced the idea, and the Fredericksburg National Cemetery Lumineria was born.

The task was as imposing as it was admirable: to light one luminary for each of the 15,300 American soldiers who were laid to rest in the National Cemetery. Because many plots contain more than one body, roughly two Luminaria are used for each stone. The graves of Union soldiers dominate Fredericksburg National Cemetery, with a lesser number of plots set aside for soldiers who fought in the Spanish American War, World War I, and World War II. (Confederate soldiers are buried in a separate cemetery in town.) The National Cemetery was closed to new interments in the 1940's.

Hundreds of Scouts participate in the Annual Luminaria program. On Memorial Day weekend, they assemble the luminary bags and place them beside the graves. As darkness settles over the Cemetery, Scouts light the candles, illuminating the hillside. Visitors walk among the graves, pausing now and again to listen as volunteers explain different aspects of the cemetery's history. Every thirty minutes "Taps" sounds on the wind, its mournful tones reminding Americans of the sacrifices that other have made for their freedom."

{While we initially waited for the shuttle, I caught Andrew pulling some funny faces from his daddy! :)}

We got there a little after 8 pm, when the event started, and waited for the free shuttle to transport us from the parking lot by the University over to the cemetery. The wait time was quite awhile we came to find out and realizing it wasn't a far walk...we decided it would be quicker to do so! It was only about 1/2 a mile - so not too bad. But the humidity was a kicker!

{John and his friend walking with their boys on their shoulders. So cute!}

{And now he's pulling on his ears. John is NOT thrilled! And little Andrew looks like he's just holding on having no idea to his daddy's discomfort. I found it pretty funny. (Sorry John!)}

{Walking along Sunken Road - almost to the cemetery. Here is a post the last time we were here.}

{Luminaria along Sunken Road}

{National Park Employees - greeting visitors to the event}

{Across the street, LOTS of motorcyclists parked to come join the evening.}

{My girls}

{Andrew's a bit blurry here, like many of the photos as it was getting dark, but I still thought he looked cute. Blurry and all! :)}

{Picture taken of the flag where TAPS was being played}

{One of our closest friends here: The N Family}

{And then a photo of our family before heading home}

If you've gotten this far, congratulations! :) And if you're interested in seeing some "Coming Home" photos, Pioneer Woman hosted a ton of inspiring and touching pictures you won't want to miss in observance of Memorial Day.

Our family, being a military family, is so thankful to those that serve (or have served) our country.

Thank you!!!!