ANNVILLE, Pa. — After the wreaths were laid at thousands of graves, the sounds of Taps echoed through the night, as the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery honored the veterans who served our country.
On Saturday, more than a dozen people gathered at the cemetery to hold a candlelight vigil for veterans who were laid to rest this past year. Linda Scotto and her family were shining a light for their father, who was on the front lines of the Korean War.
“We loved our dad. He served our country and we’re very proud of him," said Scotto. “We just loved honoring him and all of the veterans.”
Organizers at the cemetery said the service allows veterans’ families to come together and remember the sacrifices they made for our country.
“Their families will never forget. We, who are their brothers and sisters, will never forget," said Doug Etterman, the communications director with the Lebanon VA.
“Because of their sacrifice, we are able to assemble here today," said John Spuit, the director of the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. "And the freedoms we take for granted is because of them.”
Etterman added that the glowsticks and candles in the night reflect the love and admiration families have for their veterans.
“There’s a softness and a warmth to the glow of the candle, just as there is a softness and warmth that the families feel," said Etterman.
The Wreaths Across America Program stretches across the country, with more than 2.7 million wreaths placed last year at several thousand locations.