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10/27/2020 - Cumberland County Announces Veterans Burial Pavilion Construction

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NEW JERSEY (October 20, 2020) Cumberland County will soon begin construction of The Cumberland County Veterans Burial Pavilion located at the Cumberland County Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Hopewell Township. Freeholder Liaison to the County’s Veterans’ Commission George Castellini stated, “The Freeholder Board recognizes that the unique nature of veteran’s cemeteries often make graveside ceremonies difficult creating the need to provide a Committal Service Shelter away from the grave site.” Castellini added, “The 25’ by 36’ covered open-air pavilion, with seating for approximately 48 people, will provide protection from the elements in a quiet and dignified setting for those attending services for our honored veterans.”

Freeholder Carol Musso expressed the Board’s deep satisfaction on moving the project forward stating, “The Veterans Burial Pavilion will be a beautifully simple low maintenance modern structure with provisions for power, audio and video systems to provide a committal service shelter for veterans that their families deserve.” Musso added, “While simple, the pavilion will include an embossed interior feature wall for the display of service insignias for each service branch that will be highlighted by wall-wash lighting.”

Diana M. Pitman, BSN, RN, VSO, Director of the Cumberland County Department of Veteran Affairs indicated, “Not only will the pavilion provide a facility to serve the family and friends of the deceased veteran, by providing amenities such as a storage room for chairs and a rolling bier, conducting services at the pavilion will remove unnecessary logistical challenges associated with graveside services.”

Freeholder Castellini stated that construction of the pavilion designed by architects Mort Isaacson, RA and Bruce D. Turner, AIA, will be managed by the Cumberland County Improvement Authority. “Construction of the pavilion structure will be performed by Marino General Construction with selected site work performed by our County workforce”, Castellini stated. Castellini added, “We are particularly grateful for the in kind and other donations being committed to the project from participating contractors such as veteran owned business Lee-Way Electrical and John Ruga at Northeast Precast.”

Castellini concluded, “The Veterans Burial Pavilion has long been a goal of the Freeholder Board and a personal commitment for me as Liaison, Freeholder Musso as Alternate Liaison to the Veterans’ Commission as well as former Freeholder Joseph Sparacio, who has just returned from active duty in Iraq. We are gratified and humbled to play a part in providing a Burial Pavilion that our veterans and their families need and deserve.”


Pictured from left to right: Commissioner George Castellini, Commissioner Carol Musso, Ed Alicia, Semper Marine Dean & Commander of the United Veterans Council, Diana Pitman, BSN, RN, VSO, Director of Cumberland County Department of Veterans Affairs, Matt Jordan, Veterans Commission, and past Commissioner Joseph Sparacio

 

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