For Immediate Release
May 25, 2018

Monmouth County Remembers Those Who Served
County offices will be closed Monday, in observance of Memorial Day

FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders wishes everyone a safe Memorial Day weekend and reminds residents that while most County offices will be closed on Monday in observance of the national holiday, all County parks and golf courses will be open.

“Memorial Day weekend is often viewed as a time for spending time with family and friends at the beach or a barbeque, but it is important for us all to remember the true reason for the holiday and that is honoring the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and our freedom,” said Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone. “A fun way that you and your family can commemorate Memorial Day is by attending one of the many parades and ceremonies held throughout Monmouth County!”

For more information, go to www.visitmonmouth.com to find a list of events to celebrate Memorial Day in Monmouth County.

Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service to our country. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated on the last Monday of May.

“Memorial Day is a time for us to show appreciation for all of our veterans,” said Freeholder Deputy Directory Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the Monmouth County Veterans Services Office. “Here in Monmouth County, we are dedicated to assisting our veterans and their families and have even recently opened the Veterans Connection at Fort Monmouth.”

The Veteran's Services Office helps our military apply for service-connected compensation and pension benefits and provides referrals for counseling and other services. For more information about Veterans Services call 732-683-8675.

Memorial Day was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. By the late 1800s, communities began to observe Memorial Day and, after World War I, it became an occasion for honoring those who had died in all of America’s wars.

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