Dedicated Volunteers and Community Members Help Make Remembrance Day Illumination Possible
Nov 26, 2024
On the evening of Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, thousands of flickering candles illuminated Gettysburg National Cemetery, each one honoring a life given for our nation. With a full moon overhead, the Gettysburg Foundation commemorated the dedication of the National Cemetery in November 1863 with its 22nd annual Remembrance Day Illumination—a powerful tribute made possible by the dedication of volunteers and community members. Each of the 3,512 graves in the Soldiers' National Cemetery glowed with the light of luminary candles, reminding us of the sacrifices that shaped our country and cemented Gettysburg's place in American memory.
The Remembrance Day Illumination reflected the incredible contributions of Gettysburg Foundation volunteers. Friends, youth groups and community members arrived at 4 p.m. to place and light approximately 4,200 luminaries throughout the cemetery, ensuring everything was ready for a 5:30 p.m. start.
During the ceremony, volunteers read the names of the 3,512 soldiers buried in the cemetery, and Taps was played every half hour as guests paid their respects. Members of reenactment groups, including the 149th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Bucktails, Co. A, 7th New Jersey Sons of Veterans Reserve, 150th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Bucktails, 62nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, 5th New Hampshire, 2nd United States Sharpshooters and the 97th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry stood as honor guards at the Soldiers' National Monument, representing the historical community of Gettysburg.
Volunteers Make It Happen
Boy Scout Troop 373 from Howard County, Maryland, traveled two hours to Gettysburg to take part in Remembrance Day activities and help set up the Illumination. Andrew Bentley and Aiden Rider represented their troop in an interview with Gettysburg Foundation staff. As Senior Patrol Leaders, they help coordinate and lead the troop's activities, service projects and events, acting as liaisons between the scouts and adult leaders.
"My grandpa was a Marine veteran, and he just passed a week ago, so this means a lot to me. I'm glad that I could come out and help other people 'light up' the importance of Gettysburg," shared Rider. "All the people who fought and died here for our rights and everything that we can do today in the United States is really important."
"It feels special that we're able to commemorate everybody who gave their lives here. It's how we're able to celebrate what they did, and why," added Luke, another Scout in Troop 373. Events like the Remembrance Day Illumination fulfill the Foundation's educational mission, offering young people authentic encounters with Gettysburg's history through service.
Honoring History with the National Park Service
Partners from the National Park Service at Gettysburg also donated their time and resources throughout the evening, assisting with setup, guiding guests and providing historical context. Lantern-lit paths guided guests to rangers, who provided a brief history of the cemetery and President Abraham Lincoln's 1863 visit to Gettysburg, answering visitors' questions. More than 3,500 people attended this time-honored tradition, made possible through partnership and keeping alive President Lincoln's call to "never forget what they did here." 
Our Impact
Events like the Remembrance Day Illumination help foster a deep connection with our nation's history. Last year alone, more than 3,500 visitors and volunteers joined us in honoring those who fought at Gettysburg, strengthening community bonds and keeping history alive.
Join Us Next Year
Want to be part of this meaningful tradition? Sign up to volunteer at next year's event or support our mission to keep Gettysburg's history alive. To request a volunteer assignment for Remembrance Day Illumination Nov. 15, 2025, email epeace@gettysburgfoundation.org. Visit Gettysburg Foundation online to help support our mission of preservation and education in partnership with the National Park Service at Gettysburg. Check back to our website in spring/summer 2025 to sponsor a luminary candle for Remembrance Day Illumination 2025.
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