READINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — Hunterdon County Commissioner Shaun Van Doren joined veterans, volunteers and community members Saturday for a headstone cleaning event at Rural Hill Cemetery aimed at preserving the gravesites of local military veterans.
Participants worked throughout the historic cemetery to carefully clean and restore veterans’ headstones, helping ensure their service and sacrifices remain visible and remembered for future generations.
Van Doren joined volunteers during the effort and thanked those who donated their time to maintaining the final resting places of men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
“Taking the time to care for the graves of our veterans is a meaningful way to honor their service and preserve their legacy,” said Commissioner Van Doren. “These individuals answered the call to serve our country, and it is important that we continue to remember their contributions and ensure their stories are not forgotten.”
Rural Hill Cemetery contains the graves of veterans from multiple generations of military service, offering a connection to both Hunterdon County history and the nation’s past.
During the event, volunteers removed dirt, biological growth and weather-related staining from headstones while taking steps to protect the integrity of the historic markers.
Organizers said the project served not only as a preservation effort but also as an educational opportunity, allowing participants to learn more about the lives and military service of the veterans buried there.
County officials thanked the volunteers, the Hunterdon County Veterans Affairs Department and cemetery representatives for their contributions to the event, which highlighted the county’s ongoing commitment to honoring those who served in the military.
