Cemetery Restoration Project In Hazlet To Receive Grant Funds

HAZLET, NJ — The recipients of the Monmouth County Historical Commission's 2022 History Regrant Awards have been announced, and the Hazlet Township Environmental Commissioner is among them.

After years of neglect, the Aumack Cemetery in Hazlet is currently undergoing restoration. During the summer of 2020, Eagle Scout James Borg set out to plant flags on the graves of soldiers.

Borg discovered that there were American war veterans buried in the overgrown Aumack Family Burying Ground, including some who had served in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War, according to Hazlet Township.

The inquiry eventually reached Hazlet Township Committeeman Skip McKay, a former Navy SEAL. McKay set out to restore ownership and dignity to the burial ground as soon as he learned of the situation.

The annual history regrant awards are given to support existing local history organizations by providing grant funding for general operating support and special projects to those organizations, as well as other non-profit entities.

A portion of the $44,144 grant was awarded to fourteen Monmouth County applicants. The grant will be used by the Hazlet Township Environmental Commissioner to fund the Aumack Cemetery Restoration.

“This program is vital to help Monmouth County's cultural organizations maintain operations and complete special projects in order to continue to educate residents about our history,” said Commissioner Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the Historical Commission.