Volunteers join Hunterdon County leaders to clean veterans’ headstones ahead of Memorial Day
FRENCHTOWN BOROUGH, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — Deputy Director Shaun C. Van Doren and Commissioner Susan J. Soloway were joined by more than 30 volunteers at Frenchtown Cemetery on Saturday, May 24, for the second veteran headstone cleaning event of the year, demonstrating a shared commitment to honoring fallen heroes as Memorial Day weekend began.
“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,” said Commissioner and Veterans Affairs co-liaison Susan Soloway. “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 offer residents and volunteers a hands-on opportunity to care for veterans’ gravesites in a meaningful effort to restore and honor their final resting places.
The county’s headstone program began in 2021 following a visit from a Navy veteran and founder of “By Memorial Day,” a nonprofit dedicated to cleaning and maintaining veteran headstones nationwide.
“It is inspiring to see so many people come together to preserve the history of our county as we approach Memorial Day,” said Van Doren. “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 more than 1,500 headstones in over 23 cemeteries across the area.
The next headstone cleaning event is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 3. For more information or to register, visit the Hunterdon County website.
