On Saturday, November 11, 2017 Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery hosted a luminary event to mark the 99th anniversary of the end of World War I. As dusk fell at the cemetery, thousands of headstones were lit with candles, creating a powerful image of light overpowering the darkness. Attendees had the chance to walk through the cemetery until 7:30 p.m. and learn stories of some of the Americans honored within these hallowed grounds. Visitors learned about the Great War and the American sacrifice, and reflected on the enormity of this conflict that ended nearly 100 years ago.
This was a partial luminary event with only a portion of the more than 14,000 headstones lit. The cemetery hopes to expand the program in November 2018 to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.