Hunterdon Residents Join Commissioners in Paying Respect to Fallen Heroes This Memorial Day

Hunterdon Residents Join Commissioners and County Staff in Paying Respect to Fallen Heroes This Memorial Day

On Saturday, May 24th, Deputy Director Shaun C. Van Doren and Commissioner Susan J. Soloway were joined by over 30 volunteers at the Frenchtown Cemetery for the second veteran headstone cleaning event of the year, demonstrating a shared commitment to honoring heroes as the Memorial Day weekend commenced. Lunch was provided and generously sponsored by Collier Engineering, prepared by the Bridge Café of Frenchtown.

Commissioner and co-liaison for Veterans Affairs Susan Soloway shared, “This event is built on community spirit and exemplifies the pride we take in remembering our past, especially as we prepare to honor those who gave everything for our country on Memorial Day. By caring for these headstones, we show our respect and gratitude for those who served and sacrificed.”

The headstone cleanings are sponsored by the Hunterdon County Board of County Commissioners and provide an opportunity for volunteers and residents to contribute to the upkeep of veteran gravesites in a meaningful effort to restore and honor their final resting place. The county headstone program first began in 2021, following a visit from a Navy veteran and founder of the non-profit group, ‘By Memorial Day’, an organization with a focused goal to clean and care for every veteran headstone across the country.

Deputy Director Van Doren expressed his appreciation for the volunteers and stated, “It is inspiring to see so many people come together to preserve the history of our county as we approach Memorial Day. These headstones mark the final resting places of those who came before us, the veterans who served our nation. By restoring them, we honor their sacrifices and ensure their legacies remain alive.” To date, volunteers have cleaned over 1,500 headstones in over 23 area cemeteries.

The next headstone cleaning is scheduled for Saturday, September 3rd. For more information or to register for a headstone cleaning click here.