Several dozen residents, including a small number of family members of loved ones buried there, turned out Saturday to celebrate the first annual Red Bank Cemetery Decoration Day.
White carnations were placed on graves, attendees enjoyed fellowship, members of the Red Bank High Jr. ROTC unit presented the colors and raised the American flag, and four members of the school’s band played the national anthem and “Taps.”
Also, remarks were made by Red Bank City Manager Martin Granum and Red Bank Citizens Cemetery Advisory Board chairman Sal Arrigo Jr.
A prayer was offered by longtime Red Bank resident Jim LaMance.
The event came after the city of Red Bank-owned cemetery had been cleaned up and many of the gravestones were restored over the last couple of years with the help of the Cemetery Advisory Board and the public works department.
Also, a new metal fence, a new arched entranceway and a flagpole were installed in recent months.