Honoring 15,300

Here in Fredericksburg we have Marye's Heights, billed as one of the "foremost landmarks in American Military history."

This aspect of the American's Civil War, Battle of Fredericksburg, was set aside as a National Cemetery, after the war.  15,300 men are buried here.

Of this number, approximately 3,000 were formally identified.  The remainder are simply numbers on small flat stones.  Many have 3 or more on them, corresponding to the number of bodies buried below.

Every Memorial Day weekend, Boy & Girl Scouts Troops from around the area descend on Marye's Heights and place flags and luminaries at each headstone.  On Saturday evening, just before sunset, the luminaries are lit.  For the next 4 hours, every 30 minutes on the hour, a bugler blows taps.

This is a sight to behold.  Thousands of people milling about, taking in the amazing spectacle before them.  The first note comes out of the bugle and there is utter silence.  The hair raises up on your arms, tears flow and soft, muffled sobs can be heard.

If you haven't experienced The Heights on Memorial Day, it is a must for your bucket list.