Monmouth County Officials Honored By Defense Department For Supporting Citizen Soldiers

L to R: James Plousis, Chairman N.J. State Parole Board, Michael Ruane, Director Office on Aging, Disabilities & Veterans Services, Col. Carmen Venticinque, NJ ESGR, Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, Sheriff Shaun Golden & Acting Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni. Click photo for larger view

Sheriff Shaun Golden, Freeholder Lillian Burry, Acting Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni and Michael Ruane, Director of the Monmouth County Office on Aging, Disabilities and Veterans Services were each presented the Seven Seals Award by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) office during a Show of Strength ceremony held at the Sheriff’s Office in Freehold on Wednesday.

ESGR is comprised of dedicated and trained volunteers and staff. They develop and promote employer support for Guard and Reserve service by advocating relevant initiatives, recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of applicable laws, and resolving conflict between employers and service members.

ESGR informs and educates service members and their civilian employers regarding their rights and responsibilities governed by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA).

With the Seven Seals Award, ESGR recognizes significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative, or support that promotes and supports the ESGR mission to develop and promote supportive work environments for service members in the Reserve Components.

48 percent of the U.S.Military comes from the National Guard and Reserve.

While performing military service, Monmouth County employees receive full pay for 90 days, and, after that time, they receive the difference in pay between the employee’s regular earnings and the military base pay for active duty. Families continue to maintain health benefits, and the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office actively supports families who have to endure the hardships when their loved ones are away.

“We may be the ones honored on this day, as law enforcement leaders who show a strong commitment to our citizen soldiers, but they are the true heroes and should be honored year round,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden. “Our men and women of the armed forces sacrifice everything to keep us safe. When they are called to duty, it’s our duty and responsibility to our nation to strongly support them and their family members.”

Golden’s office currently employs 21 active members of the military.

“I commend the Monmouth County’s Sheriff’s Office for its unwavering support of our military men and women,” said Don Tretola, NJ ESGR Chair. “It is collaborations such as this that make a difference in our mission of serving those who serve.”

“Our armed forces are critical to our nation’s defense and therefore it’s critical we support all of them for the heroic efforts in keeping our country safe,” said Gramiccioni, a Lt.Commander in the U.S.Navy JAG Corp who recently completed a tour of active duty in Afghanistan. “Being a member of the U.S. Navy and Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor I honor the sacrifices our armed forces make and the continued support Monmouth County provides.”

Burry, a strong advocate for active duty military members and veterans, said, “I’m humbled to be the recipient of this award,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry. “This honor reinforces the dedication, support and long term commitment the sheriff’s office and the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders have to our citizen soldiers.”

“I commend ESGR for these efforts and I’m grateful that Monmouth County carries out its mission in supporting our military men and women,” said Michael Ruane, Director of the Monmouth County Office on Aging, Disabilities and Veterans Services. “It’s important we continue to do so by providing our armed forces with support and opportunity before, during and after their tours of duty.”