Underneath the shelter at Medoc Mountain State Park, a gathering of people closest to the 95-year-old Littleton man, those concerned and those who have helped search for him, sang a hymn and prayed.

“We're not here praying that he's gone,” said the Reverend Linwood Richardson. “Our prayers are that he's found. God will will give us strength if we come to hills.”

A friend offered prayers to the man's family. “We want you to know we've been praying for y'all. I believe there are some believers here. I came because I believe God is going to hear our prayers.”

Person in front of his truck.

One family member said, “Uncle Nel was a special uncle to my mother and my family. He is a big part of our family. We continue to pray God sends him home and we will be here for a better occasion.”

Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp told those gathered at the vigil, “We're working just as hard as y'all have been working. Just know we're not going to give up. We're going to keep looking.”

Earlier today, Chief Deputy Scott Hall said the sheriff's office is continuing the search for Person. “We've been riding the roads, we've been flying a helicopter and following up on leads.”

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Tripp said before the vigil this evening the sheriff's office also enlisted the help of a private pilot to conduct an air search.

The sheriff said it is probably around a five-mile trip from the area off Ringwood Road where Person dropped his grandson off Wednesday evening and the Bowers Road area of Littleton where he lives.

“He's a good man,” said his great-granddaughter, Porsilyne Person. “He'd give you the shirt off his back.”

The trip from Bowers Road to Ringwood Road and back was a routine trip for him, Porsilyne said.

The only health issue was his blood pressure, she said. “It had been raining that Wednesday night but he could drive during the rain.”

One of the clues detectives were hoping would pan out in the case was his mention of chainsaw. “Mr. Tripp sent his people out and no one (in that business) had seen him at all.”

Porsilyne was pleased with the turnout for the vigil. “It feels good to see us get together as a big family. It's just harder we're here because of this issue.”

Andrew Lynch and his wife, Hilda, gathered and passed out the candles for the event.

“I knew his son,” said Mr. Lynch. “When they told me he was missing, I didn't mind helping. This is America. This is what we do.”