Atlantic County to host veterans memorial program Friday

Atlantic County government will honor the sacrifice and service of its fallen veterans at the 39th annual Veterans Memorial Program on Friday.

Retired U.S. Air Force Capt. Daniel J. Brestle, who lives in Longport, will deliver the keynote address during the 2 p.m. ceremony at the Richard E. Squires Veterans Cemetery at Atlantic County Park.

The program will also feature an honor guard and color guard, bagpipers and bugler, and the traditional presentation of the memorial wreath.

This year’s program will be the first to be held in the recently renamed Richard E. Squires Veterans Cemetery at 109 Route 50 in Estell Manor.

County Executive Dennis Levinson renamed the cemetery following the former county executive’s death on April 2.

In May 1985, Squires established the cemetery, where he and his wife Winnie now rest in eternal peace.

Squires was a Navy veteran who served aboard the USS Wisconsin during the Korean War.