Cape May County Cancels Memorial Day Ceremony

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, NJ — Cape May County has made the decision to cancel its annual Memorial Day Ceremony. Freeholder Director Gerald M. Thornton and Freeholder Jeffrey L. Pierson regretfully made this decision as a result of complying with the Executive Orders from Governor Phil Murphy, and in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control’s guidelines.

The importance of honoring our Veterans and their families is extremely important, but protecting our citizens, Veterans, and those who support our Veteran-centric efforts could not be more paramount.”Canceling the Memorial Day Ceremony was a very difficult decision. Honoring our Veterans is one of the most important things that we can do as a County and as a nation; however, this year it is overshadowed by the need to protect our community members”, said Freeholder Director Thornton.

The Cape May County Division of Veterans’ Services will coordinate an opportunity for any Veterans’ Organization that has participated in the Memorial Day Ceremony in the past and would like to place a wreath at the cemetery to do so. Wreaths will be placed by appointment on Memorial Day. Please contact The Cape May County Division of Veteran’s Services ahead of time at (609) 886-2762 to schedule your organization’s wreath placement.

Flags will be placed at the Gerald M. Thornton Veterans’ Cemetery to honor our Veterans. “The placement of the flags can be completed and will be coordinated in accordance with all social distancing regulations,” said Freeholder Jeffrey Pierson.
Cape May County will be announcing a different effort to remember those we lost this year for Memorial Day in the coming weeks since an in-person ceremony is not possible.

Both Freeholders and the Division of Veterans’ Services thanks the community for their continued support in our efforts to not only care for our current Veterans but also in honoring our Veterans past.