Riverton Road turned unusually silent Sunday morning as an absence of cars rushing past the Cinnaminson municipal building created a momentary stillness. Piercing the quiet, a trumpeter’s rendition of “Taps” echoed throughout the area.

The solemn moment characterized Cinnaminson’s Memorial Day commemoration, held Sunday morning outside of the municipal building.

Veterans, residents, township officials and representatives from the local American Legion Post 146 in Riverside gathered for the short ceremony to honor all who have died while serving in the military.

“Memorial Day was born from a shared human need to understand, remember and honor those who have died so that we may live as free men and women,” said Deputy Mayor Don Brauckmann, who led the ceremony. “Memorial Day is a day of remembrance, mourning and celebration ...

“The lives of those we honor today—our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, children, friends and neighbors—are valuable lives lost, but lives not lost in vain. Each lost life contributed to the nation we are; the land of the free, because of the brave.”

After an invocation by a military chaplain, township officials laid a wreath on Cinnaminson’s monument to veterans. An empty Marine uniform hung nearby, symbolizing the Americans who gave their lives to defend the country.

As dozens of small American flags set up around the municipal building fluttered in a light breeze, a three-shot rifle salute rang out to honor and remember the war dead.

“I thought it was important for my two sons to see this ceremony,” Joan McClean said afterward of her sons Patrick, 8, and Jack, 6. “I want them to honor and understand this holiday.”

It’s vital that Americans think about what Memorial Day marks, agreed Brauckmann, who served as a Marine from 1989 to 1993.

“People think of Memorial Day as the kick-off to summer, hot dogs, baseball and beaches,” he said. “It’s really important we remember the meaning of the day. I take this time to think about the friends that I lost, but more importantly, I remember that they died for our freedom.”