Each year at the end of May, Americans all over our great nation set aside Memorial Day as the time to remember how our fallen heroes served with courage and determination giving their lives showing their devotion to America and its principles.
Here in Hammonton, the Tri-Vets invite all to participate in their Memorial Day ceremonies held in Veterans Park on Bellevue Avenue. Each year they invite me to speak and remind all of us to stop and remember those that gave their lives that we may all live free.
Atlantic County Government recognized that many of these fallen heroes wanted a final resting place among their fallen brothers and sisters in service to our country and officially dedicated Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery in May 1985.
Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery is located on Route 50 in Estell Manor, and serves as a final resting place for eligible veterans and their spouses.
To further honor the sacrifices and to help our residents remember, County Executive Dennis Levenson appointed Former Executive Dick Squires as chairman of the Veterans Museum Committee tasked with collecting and displaying military artifacts and personal memorabilia to be housed in a Veterans Museum located at Estell Manor Park near the cemetery. The building was the historic Daniel Estell Manor and is located adjacent to Atlantic County Park in Estell Manor and the cemetery.
The building is the former home of Rebecca Estell Bourgeois Winston, the first mayor of Estell Manor and the first female mayor in New Jersey. It was built in 1832 by Winston’s grandfather and remodeled in the 1920s. Atlantic County purchased the house in 1993 and rehabilitated it to provide a museum as a tribute to our local veterans and honor their contributions to our nation’s history.
This museum was envisioned as a fitting reminder to remember all that our heroes have given for love of country and includes personal donations from every war and conflict beginning with the Revolutionary War to today.
The museum is a must-see for all to truly remember and appreciate what our nations heroes sacrificed so we can all live free. Remember!
Jim Bertino
5th District Commissioner
Hammonton