Family celebrates century-long tradition with 100th annual Fourth of July reunion

BREMEN, Ind. (WSBT) — The Fourth of July was extra special for one family as members gathered for their 100th annual reunion!

The Laidig family gatherings in Bremen, Indiana date all the way back to the 1920s.

You make it a priority and that's what I encourage people to do however small however you start with a family reunion make it a point if it's your immediate family make a tradition of getting together whether it's for the Fourth of July or other holidays and keep that tradition. It’s a difficult thing to do. You have to make it a priority if you don't, you just quit meeting together and I’m so thankful that this family continues to meet for over a hundred years now,” said David Vera-Burgos.

As the family grew, they continued to meet every year – even through the Great Depression and World War II.

The family said there are so many of them they now have to wear nametags to the reunion. But they all added it's a special day to reconnect with one another.

“We enjoy getting together with family. People come from so far. Sometimes this is the only time we get to see them... people getting married. People graduating from school,” said Vera-Burgos.

Family members traveled to Bremen from all over the U.S.

They said they're already looking forward to next year's reunion.