CBS2 Demands Answers: Veterans' Graves At New Jersey Cemetery Sit In Pools Of Water

MARLBORO, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Gravestones at a New Jersey cemetery have been sitting in pools of water, and many of them belong to war veterans.

As CBS2's Meg Baker reported, this isn't the first time it's happened.

Harry Miller treasures family photographs that include his father, a World War II veteran.

He wants to continue to honor his service.

"On Normandy, on D-Day, fought in the battle of the bulge," he said.

He said the Jewish section of the Forest Green Park Cemetery in Marlboro where his father and other veterans are buried has not been maintained. The foot stones of graves off of Texas Road are submerged in water.

"These people were our best generation, and I think it's very disrespectful graves left like that," he said.

Miller said after it rains the water creates small lakes that sit for weeks.

"It's been happening for several years every time it rains, the water never drains," he said.

Visitors said they often have trouble reaching their loved ones because they have to walk through thick muck.

"You can tell the graves have never been cleaned because they have all the muck from the water sitting on them for long periods of time," Miller said.

The cemetery would not comment, but passed CBS2 along to contractor Joe Uras who said there is not a drainage issue. He said they planned to add top soil and seed like they do every spring in May.

The commander at the Sayreville VFW was upset to see veterans' graves covered in mud and water.

"They've done their duty, served their country in combat. For every combat soldier five dozen serve behind them, and they deserve the best. If they let the cemetery go that way there's something wrong there," Frank Olszewski said.

Miller and other veterans hope something more can be done to preserve the memory of those that fought for their country.

Cemeteries that are not run by religious institutions like Forest Green Park, are regulated by the state.