More than 100 people attended the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office Patriot's Pride ceremony.
FREEHOLD -- More than 100 people, including law enforcement officials and members of the armed forces throughout Monmouth County joined state and local leaders Wednesday for a ceremony honoring the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The Patriot's Pride ceremony was hosted by Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, and included Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni and representatives of the Chosen Board of Freeholders, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs and Monmouth County Police Chiefs Association.
"I'm honored to co-host this ceremony on the day that our nation remembers those who gave so much during the attack on Pearl Harbor," Golden said. "It's vital that we continue to provide support and a strong commitment to our citizen-soldiers in the National Guard and Reserve, especially when engaged in responding to emergencies on the home front or deployed overseas in service of their country. They sacrifice everything to keep us safe, and it's our duty to our nation to strongly support them and their family members."
Members of the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs presented Distinguished Service Medals to veterans from the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office.
Golden, along with members of the Neptune Township and Ocean Township police departments, received awards for their support of the National Guard and Reserves.
Golden's office currently has 18 active members of the military.
The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve works with employers statewide to help ensure that members of the Reserve and National Guard can return to their jobs once they've completed active duty.
"We must never waiver in our commitment to honoring the service and sacrifices these brave men and women make on behalf of our nation," Guadagno said. "They fought for our freedom; they should not have to fight for a job."
During the ceremony, veterans who did not serve in combat but served New Jersey honorably were given certificates of appreciation. Forty-nine police departments in Monmouth County have signed a statement of support for the National Guard.
"Our armed forces are critical to our nation's defense and therefore it's critical we support them for the heroic efforts in keeping our country safe," Gramiccioni said. "Being a naval officer and the Monmouth County prosecutor, I honor the sacrifices our armed forces make and the continued support Monmouth County provides."
Gramiccioni has served in the Navy since 1997. He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2013, when he was the acting prosecutor, to serve as an officer in charge at a detention facility for nine months.
Monmouth County employees receive full pay for 90 days while performing military service, according to information provided by the sheriff's office. After the 90-day period, those employees receive the difference in pay between his or her regular earnings and the military base pay for active duty.
Families of military personnel continue to receive health benefits.
Freeholder Lillian Burry said she was honored to be a part of the Patriot's Pride ceremony.
"It reinforces our dedication, support and long-term commitment the sheriff's office and the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders have to our citizen soldiers before, during and after their tours of duty," Burry said.
At the end of the two-hour ceremony, Golden unveiled the new Monmouth County Sheriff's Office Wall of Heroes, a display showing the names of all known department veterans and present members of the armed forces.
Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.