From National Park Service
On Saturday, May 27, the National Park Service will host the 22nd annual illumination of the Fredericksburg National Cemetery. The program will begin at 8 p.m. and run until 11 p.m. In the event of rain, the event will be moved to Sunday, May 28th. This program is free to the public.
The luminaria pays tribute to soldiers who have given their lives for this country. To honor those soldiers, members of the Mattaponi and Aquia Districts of the Boy Scouts of America and the Commonwealth Council Girl Scouts of the USA will light 15,300 candles in the cemetery – one for each soldier buried there. In addition, a bugler will play “Taps” every 30 minutes during the evening, and park staff posted throughout the cemetery will tell the stories of soldiers interred there.
Fredericksburg National Cemetery is located at the intersection of Sunken Road and Lafayette Boulevard; however, those wishing to attend the luminaria should park at the University of Mary Washington lot at the corner of William Street and Sunken Road. The Fredericksburg Trolley will provide shuttle service between the parking area and the Fredericksburg National Cemetery.
A separate, commemorative ceremony will be held at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29th. A separate release on that event is forthcoming.
Pets are not permitted in the cemetery.
For additional information, call (540) 693-3200, or check the park’s website at: https://www.nps.gov/frsp/learn/news/luminaria-2017.htm
