<p>Thousands of Elvis devotees, candles in hand, walked in the humid night to the graves of Elvis and his relatives, some wiping away tears as they filed past. Flower arrangements and heart-shaped wreaths decorated the burial site as “If I Can Dream” and other songs played softly in the background.<br /><br />The vigil was to extend past midnight and into Tuesday morning, marking the anniversary of the King’s death on August 16, 1977. The vigil is the main draw of Elvis Week, and some waited hours outside the stately mansion for the procession to start.<br />Paula Penna came with her family from Campinas, Brazil, for her sixth vigil. Penna, who met her Brazilian husband in an Elvis fan club, cried and hugged him, her sister and aunt after paying her respects.<br /><br />She said Elvis songs have helped her family though good and bad. All four have Elvis tattoos.<br /><br />“Elvis music keeps the family together,” said Penna, who celebrated her 27th birthday on Tuesday. “I promised to come every year to pay tribute to Elvis because he is very important to the family life.”<br /><br />Visitors came from Japan, England, Germany and other countries. Some wore full Elvis outfits, others just his trademark sunglasses or sideburns.<br /></p>
<p>Thousands of Elvis devotees, candles in hand, walked in the humid night to the graves of Elvis and his relatives, some wiping away tears as they filed past. Flower arrangements and heart-shaped wreaths decorated the burial site as “If I Can Dream” and other songs played softly in the background.<br /><br />The vigil was to extend past midnight and into Tuesday morning, marking the anniversary of the King’s death on August 16, 1977. The vigil is the main draw of Elvis Week, and some waited hours outside the stately mansion for the procession to start.<br />Paula Penna came with her family from Campinas, Brazil, for her sixth vigil. Penna, who met her Brazilian husband in an Elvis fan club, cried and hugged him, her sister and aunt after paying her respects.<br /><br />She said Elvis songs have helped her family though good and bad. All four have Elvis tattoos.<br /><br />“Elvis music keeps the family together,” said Penna, who celebrated her 27th birthday on Tuesday. “I promised to come every year to pay tribute to Elvis because he is very important to the family life.”<br /><br />Visitors came from Japan, England, Germany and other countries. Some wore full Elvis outfits, others just his trademark sunglasses or sideburns.<br /></p>
