Cape May County has canceled its annual Memorial Day ceremony in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Freeholder Director Gerald M. Thornton and Freeholder Jeffrey L. Pierson regretfully made the decision as a result of complying with the executive orders from Gov. Phil Murphy, and in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control’s guidelines, according to a county press release.
"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,” Thornton said.
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.
For information, call veterans 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 veterans.
“The placement of the flags can be completed and will be coordinated in accordance with all social distancing regulations,” Pierson said.
Cape May County will be announcing a different effort to remember those lost this year for Memorial Day in the coming weeks, since an in-person ceremony is not possible.
Both freeholders and the veterans services thank the community for continued support in efforts to not only care for current veterans, but to honor veterans who have died.
