New Military Flags Wave Proudly at Cape May County Veterans’ Cemetery

As you approach the Cape May County Veterans’ Cemetery located on Crest Haven Road in Cape May Court House, you can’t help but notice five new flag poles reaching high into the sky. These flag poles proudly fly five U.S. Military flags, representing each of the five branches: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy.
In fall 2015, the women of the Ocean City American Legion Auxiliary Unit 524 graciously donated these flag poles, and the Cape May County Veterans’ Bureau and Cape May County Department of Facilities and Services helped make the beautiful display come to life. President Joan Sambucci shares, “The Ocean City American Legion Auxiliary members were looking for a project to enhance the cemetery and originally thought they would purchase plants or shrubs. The idea of flag poles was a suggestion of Mike Carpenter, an employee of the Department of Facilities and Services. The committee, with the support of the entire Ocean City American Legion Unit 524, voted overwhelmingly in favor of the project and moved forward on purchasing the flag poles.”
Ten months later in summer 2016, the $1,800 project was complete. The work to install the flagpoles was done by the Department of Facilities and Services. The department contacted RAB Lighting Company about lighting for the flag poles, and the company kindly donated lights so each flag pole glows in the night.
Auxiliary committee members Gloria McDermott, Joan Sambucci and Betty Stivale worked closely with Virginia Tomlin, Veterans’ Bureau Director, Jeffrey Pierson, Supervisor of Veterans’ Internment and Ann Marie McMahon, Director of Facilities and Services to complete the project.
Freeholder Director Gerald M. Thornton, a veteran himself, recognizes the work of the Ocean City American Legion Auxiliary and says, “I can’t emphasis enough how generous and kind it was for the Ocean City American Legion Auxiliary to do this. These flag poles truly enhance the cemetery a great deal. This project is one we can all be extremely proud of, and it will serve as a lasting tribute to the men and women who served our country in the five branches of the U.S. Military.”
Thornton oversees the Veterans’ Bureau and cites the Veterans’ Cemetery as one of his greatest accomplishments as Freeholder. In 1977, he worked with members from every veterans organization in the county and proposed the use of the county-owned land at the Crest Haven Complex to develop the Cape May County Veterans’ Cemetery. In 1980, the cemetery opened with space for 6,700 veterans to be buried with honor.
“I’m very proud of that cemetery,” states Thornton. “It’s a project that will last a lifetime and forever make an impact on Cape May County.”
A number of citizens, veterans, and county employees and staff members have commented on how wonderful the flag poles look. Many visitors appreciate the fact that there is something representing the branch their loved one served in.
The flag poles will be a part of all ceremonies held at the Cape May County Veterans’ Cemetery, including the upcoming Veterans Day ceremony on Friday, November 11 at 2 p.m., held outside, weather permitting.
Thornton shares that future plans for the 36-year-old cemetery include ongoing refurbishments and upgrades for numerous areas.