The Oak Grove Cemetery Association held a dedication ceremony for its Veterans Memorial on May 17, 2025—Armed Forces Day—at 2 p.m.
The Veterans Memorial incorporates the cemetery’s existing Veterans Monument, which was erected on land donated to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Passalaqua Post 1026 (VFW) in 1954. It was dedicated by Frank and Sue Bruno in memory of their son, PFC John F. Bruno, who was killed in action in Korea on Flag Day, 1953. It also stands to honor those who “fought and died for the liberty of their country.”
In 2022, the monument was repositioned to become the centerpiece of a much larger memorial, complete with engravable paver walkway, that was constructed through generous grants and donations of time and materials from EP Henry, SiteOne Landscape Supply, Tuckahoe Turf Farms, Garden State Grounds Control in memory of Salvatore Silipino Sr., Scrapple Brothers Construction, and Peterson Monuments, with the flagpole being donated by the family of John and Arlene Measley.
Speakers included the cemetery’s president, Atlantic County Commissioner James Bertino; Trustee Ann Donoflio, the head of the cemetery’s Monument Committee; VFW Commander John Griffee; and Hammonton Town Councilman Thomas Gribbin, the town’s deputy mayor. Robyn Berenato, the cemetery’s historian, sang “The Star Spangled Banner.” The cemetery’s caretaker and secretary, Joseph F. Berenato, acted as master of ceremonies.
“We pause today to celebrate and remember the sacrifices that the men and women of our military have made for all of us here in the United States, and it’s right that we do so,” Bertino said.
Since the memorial’s ribbon-cutting on December 10, 2022, dozens of pavers have been sold, with a portion of each sale earmarked for the VFW. At the ceremony, the Oak Grove Cemetery Association was proud to present the VFW with a check in the amount of $1,000.00, representing the first of many to come.
The Veterans Memorial incorporates the cemetery’s existing Veterans Monument, which was erected on land donated to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Passalaqua Post 1026 (VFW) in 1954. It was dedicated by Frank and Sue Bruno in memory of their son, PFC John F. Bruno, who was killed in action in Korea on Flag Day, 1953. It also stands to honor those who “fought and died for the liberty of their country.”
In 2022, the monument was repositioned to become the centerpiece of a much larger memorial, complete with engravable paver walkway, that was constructed through generous grants and donations of time and materials from EP Henry, SiteOne Landscape Supply, Tuckahoe Turf Farms, Garden State Grounds Control in memory of Salvatore Silipino Sr., Scrapple Brothers Construction, and Peterson Monuments, with the flagpole being donated by the family of John and Arlene Measley.
Speakers included the cemetery’s president, Atlantic County Commissioner James Bertino; Trustee Ann Donoflio, the head of the cemetery’s Monument Committee; VFW Commander John Griffee; and Hammonton Town Councilman Thomas Gribbin, the town’s deputy mayor. Robyn Berenato, the cemetery’s historian, sang “The Star Spangled Banner.” The cemetery’s caretaker and secretary, Joseph F. Berenato, acted as master of ceremonies.
“We pause today to celebrate and remember the sacrifices that the men and women of our military have made for all of us here in the United States, and it’s right that we do so,” Bertino said.
Since the memorial’s ribbon-cutting on December 10, 2022, dozens of pavers have been sold, with a portion of each sale earmarked for the VFW. At the ceremony, the Oak Grove Cemetery Association was proud to present the VFW with a check in the amount of $1,000.00, representing the first of many to come.
On May 17, the Oak Grove Cemetery Association held a dedication ceremony for its Veterans Memorial, where they presented a check for $1,000 to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Passalaqua Post 1026. (Photo Courtesy Tom Gribbin)
“This comes strictly from the purchase of each paver, and every individual and organization that purchased pavers knew that, in doing so, they were donating to the VFW. So, while we were the conduit, this check comes from the community at large,” Joseph F. Berenato said.
During his remarks, Gribbon expressed “deep respect and lasting gratitude” to those who served from Hammonton and elsewhere, noting that many of them have been honored in the pavers.
“Many of them were our fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, neighbors and friends. They walked our streets, attended our schools, built our community—and when the call came, they served with honor. Some returned home, and continued to shape the life of this town. Others, like John Bruno, made the ultimate sacrifice. On behalf of the town, I would like to thank the Oak Grove Cemetery board of trustees and the numerous—and generous—donations of many for this memorial,” Gribbin said.
Gribbin said that the memorial is a promise that the service of the men and women will be remembered, that their stories will be honored, and that their legacy will be preserved “for generations to come.”
“It is a place where we can pause, reflect and give thanks for the freedoms we enjoy—the freedoms they helped defend. And, in this quiet place of reflection, may future generations come to understand the price of liberty and the value of those who protect it. May this place stand as a reminder of the strength, sacrifice and spirit of the veterans of Hammonton, now and always—and may the legacy of our veterans live on in the hearts of a grateful nation,” Gribbin said.
To purchase a paver, click here.
During his remarks, Gribbon expressed “deep respect and lasting gratitude” to those who served from Hammonton and elsewhere, noting that many of them have been honored in the pavers.
“Many of them were our fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, neighbors and friends. They walked our streets, attended our schools, built our community—and when the call came, they served with honor. Some returned home, and continued to shape the life of this town. Others, like John Bruno, made the ultimate sacrifice. On behalf of the town, I would like to thank the Oak Grove Cemetery board of trustees and the numerous—and generous—donations of many for this memorial,” Gribbin said.
Gribbin said that the memorial is a promise that the service of the men and women will be remembered, that their stories will be honored, and that their legacy will be preserved “for generations to come.”
“It is a place where we can pause, reflect and give thanks for the freedoms we enjoy—the freedoms they helped defend. And, in this quiet place of reflection, may future generations come to understand the price of liberty and the value of those who protect it. May this place stand as a reminder of the strength, sacrifice and spirit of the veterans of Hammonton, now and always—and may the legacy of our veterans live on in the hearts of a grateful nation,” Gribbin said.
To purchase a paver, click here.
Members of the cemetery’s Board of Trustees and staff were joined by John DeLucca, the chaplain of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Passalaqua Post 1026, VFW Trustee Sam Angello, and Councilmen Thomas Gribbin, Jonathan Oliva, Sam Rodio and Edward Wuillermin for the Veterans Memorial's ribbon-cutting on December 10, 2022. (Photo courtesy Denise Mazzeo)
On May 14, 2022, members of the Hammonton Tri-Vets, the Hammonton Exchange Club and the Col. Louis R. Francine Camp #7 of the Sons of Union Veterans visited Oak Grove Cemetery, Greenmount Cemetery and Holy Sepulchre Cemetery during Operation Flag Drop, replacing more than 1,500 flags on the graves of veterans. This picture was taken at the monument's previous location, where it stood from 1954 to 2022. (Photo by Joseph F. Berenato)
