Camden County to Dedicate Veterans Cemetery

Camden County submitted the following news release: 

The Freeholder Board will dedicate the Camden County Veterans Cemetery–an eight-acre section of historic Harleigh Cemetery in Camden reserved to provide county veterans with a place of honor and dignity. The keynote address will be delivered by four-star Admiral William J. Fallon (retired).

Admiral William J. Fallon retired from the U.S. Navy after a distinguished 40 year career of military and strategic leadership. He was raised in Merchantville, and is a graduate of Villanova University.

Fallon has led U.S. and Allied forces in eight separate commands and played a leadership role in military and diplomatic matters at the highest levels of the U.S. government. His most recent responsibilities were as Commander of U.S. Central and U.S. Pacific Commands.

“We are honored to have Admiral Fallon speak at the dedication of the Camden County Veterans Cemetery,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Edward T. McDonnell, liaison to the Camden County Office of Veterans Affairs.

“Not only is he from Camden County, but he is a respected and renowned military and governmental leader.”

The Camden County Veterans Cemetery was created by the Freeholder Board 2007 in response to requests from local veterans. Harleigh was selected as the location of the Camden County Veterans Cemetery because of its beauty and historic significance.

Established in 1885, Harleigh Cemetery is currently the final resting place of hundreds of veterans, including more than 300 who served in the Civil War, four United States Senators, authors and generations of Camden County families.

“Since establishing the Camden County Veterans Cemetery, more than 200 individuals have been interred in the section of Harleigh reserved for Camden County veterans and their spouses,” said Freeholder McDonnell.

“The cemetery is being building constructed in phases, and there are currently plans for more than 10,000 gravesites.”

Veterans who honorably served their country as an active-duty or reserve member are eligible for a gravesite at no charge. Spouses of veterans interred in the cemetery are eligible for a discount on adjacent grave spaces. The 800-square-foot Harleigh Cemetery Chapel is also available to accommodate a proper military service.

The ceremony will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 26. Use the Kaighn Avenue entrance, between Airport Circle and Euclid Avenue.