By VASHTI HARRIS
Staff Writer
EAST BRUNSWICK– To honor the men and women who served in the Armed Forces, the Department of Recreation, Parks & Community Services relaunched a program giving “set in stone” a whole new meaning.
The department has brought back its Paver Tribute Program, which gives residents the chance to purchase a paver to commemorate a family member or friend or to show gratitude to those who have served in the military.
Each 4-by-4 inch granite paver may be engraved with up to three lines with 30 characters per line.
“The township had the program in place for many years previously. We decided to bring it back to afford our community the opportunity to recognize their loved ones who served our country,” said Michael Reissner, director of the Department of Recreation, Parks & Community Services.
The township has erected a Veterans Memorial Monument and once residents purchase their personalized paver, it will be placed at the monument located on 1 Jean Walling Civic Center Drive off Ryders Lane.
Residents may buy more than one paver, Reissner said. Each one costs $100.
To purchase a paver, residents must fill out a form available on the township’s website and mail it with payment to the Department of Recreation.
There are two installation periods per year, with deadlines for each. Orders placed by April 15 will be installed by Memorial Day and orders placed by Oct. 1 will be installed by Veterans Day, as long as the minimum number of pavers required by the supplier is met for each deadline.
“The majority of folks choose to honor a loved one who may have served in the U.S. military by purchasing a paver that is permanently part of the Veterans Monument and helps to beautify this area,” Reissner said.
For more information, visit www.eastbrunswick.org or call 732-390-6797.
Contact Vashti Harris at [email protected].