Fredericksburg Luminaria Program

The Fredericksburg National Cemetery in Fredericksburg, Virginia has over 15,000 individual grave markers honoring fallen soldiers and is one of the largest military parks in the world. For local scouts who take part in the annual Luminaria Program that means 15,000 paper luminaries and American flags.

Over the years the Fredericskburg National Cemetary has gone through many changes. The white crosses which once lined the area have been replaced by stone markers and trees were planted years ago to offer shade and create a park like environment for visitors to reflect in.

The Luminaria Program is an annual Memorial Weekend event that brings local neighbors and out of town visitors alike. Headed up by area Boy Scouts rows and rows of luminaria and small American flags are put in place, lit , and then cleaned up.

The Park Rangers give tours and tell the story of the Cemetery and it's monuments to thousands of visitors who stream through to experience the breath taking event. The luminaria are lit in the evening before sunset and remain glowing until 11pm.

Every half hour Taps is played in memory of the fallen soldiers and a quiet hush falls over the area for a moment. Standing in the center of the Fredericskburg National Cemetery visitors see what appears to be endless flickering lights in every direction.