Poplar Grove National Cemetery Luminary Event, Nov 8
In 1866 Congress approved the establishment of national cemeteries “so that the resting places of the honored dead may be kept sacred forever.” On Saturday, November 8, 2008 Petersburg National Battlefield will commemorate the 142nd anniversary of the establishment of Poplar Grove National Cemetery with a special event which will occur at the cemetery, […]
In 1866 Congress approved the establishment of national cemeteries “so that the resting places of the honored dead may be kept sacred forever.” On Saturday, November 8, 2008 Petersburg National Battlefield will commemorate the 142nd anniversary of the establishment of Poplar Grove National Cemetery with a special event which will occur at the cemetery, off of Vaughan Road in Dinwiddie County. The program begins at 5:00 p.m. and ends at 9:00 p.m. Parking for the event will be at Richard Bland College only and shuttle buses will be on hand to transport visitors to and from the cemetery.
The address for Richard Bland College is 11301 Johnson Road, Petersburg, VA. Parking and shuttle service are both free. The last shuttle bus to depart the College will leave at 8:15 p.m.
The evening program at Poplar Grove National Cemetery includes each of the 6000 graves being marked with a luminary candle, and selected stories of those who laid down their lives for their beliefs. The names of the 2000 known soldiers will be read aloud while bagpipes play to help visitors remember the sacrifices made by soldiers past and present. Visitors are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes as the cemetery ground is uneven. Flashlights are also recommended to avoid stepping on tree roots.
This event may be cancelled due to bad weather and those interested in attending are encouraged to call (804) 861-2488 to determine program status if the weather is questionable. For more information, please call Elizabeth Dinger at (804) 732-3531, ext. 200.
Petersburg National Battlefield was created in order to commemorate the campaign and defense of Petersburg, Virginia, in 1864 and 1865. The park staff is committed to preserving and protecting the historical, cultural and natural resources within the park in a manner that will provide interpretation, education and enjoyment for the visitors.
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