Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes speaks with veterans who came to out to support Operation White Stone at Greenwood Cemetery in Hamilton on April 23, 2014.
Mercer County conducted Operation White Stone, a program to maintain the headstones at the graves of county veterans buried in the Field of Honor section of Greenwood Cemetery, the week of April 21.
According to chief of the Mercer County Office of Veteran Services Edward Mazzeo, approximately 1,400 limestone headstones will be cleaned of dirt and debris using water from high-pressure power washers in order to return them to their original, dignified white appearance.
Local veterans clad in jackets and hats reflecting their branch of military service or tour of duty came to the cemetery to support the event April 23.
Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes thanked the veterans for their service to their country and then explained why Operation White Stone is performed.
“Over time, the limestone grave markers become streaked with gray from the elements. The cleansing returns the stones to their pristine condition and illustrates that the respect we have for our veterans continues after death,” Hughes said, “we have made a promise to keep this Field of Honor section meticulously groomed out of respect, and we will keep that promise.”
Operation White Stone is performed at no cost to taxpayers. The program is conducted by utilizing the low-risk inmates of Mercer County Correction Center’s Superintendent Labor Assistance Program and with the assistance of Hamilton’s Fire District 4 and the Mercer County Fire School. The S.L.A.P. workers power wash the headstones with water supplied by a District 4 fire engine.
Operation White Stone is held every other year at Greenwood Cemetery.
Mercer County’s annual Memorial Day observance is scheduled for 11 a.m. May 25, at 11 a.m. in the Field of Honor section of Greenwood Cemetery, 1800 Hamilton Ave., Hamilton.
More information is online at mercercounty.org.
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