(Monroe Township, NJ)—On Saturday, Dec. 4, we honored the men and women who defended our country's freedom at the annual Wreaths of Remembrance Ceremony at the Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
Commissioner Director Robert M. Damminger said, "The Wreaths of Remembrance Ceremony continues to show our thanks to those who served and our promise to remember their bravery.”
Gloucester County partners with the People for People Foundation every year to hold the Wreaths of Remembrance Ceremony. The Wreaths of Remembrance Ceremony was started by Paul Blackstock, Chairman of the Board for the People for People Foundation. Paul Blackstock passed away earlier this year and was honored during the ceremony.
“We are eternally grateful for Mr. Blackstock’s dedication to our veterans and will always remember his commitment to the veterans across the county,” said Director Damminger.
Commissioner Dan Christy, liaison to the Department of Veterans Affairs, said, "This is a way for some families to include their relatives in their holiday festivities and keep them in their hearts, for others, it is a way to honor a veteran for their service and sacrifice."
The Ceremony included a moment of silence for those who served, followed by opening remarks and an announcement of those laying the wreaths. Immediately following the ceremony, volunteers assisted to lay a wreath on each of the individual 2,800 graves.
The Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery is located at 240 N. Tuckahoe Road in Monroe Township.
For more information, please visit www.gloucestercountynj.gov.
Pictured: Commissioner Heather Simmons; Bernadette Blackstock from People for People Foundation; Deputy Director Frank J. DiMarco; Commissioner Jim Jefferson and Commissioner Dan Christy