With the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial as a backdrop, the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office was honored for the "Above and Beyond Award" by the New Jersey Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The luncheon was held at the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial in Holmdel, on June 17. The award recognizes employers who go above and beyond supporting employees in the military. "Receiving this award is a great accomplishment," said Sheriff Kim Guadagno. "But the ones who really go above and beyond are the men and women who serve our country. We owe them our thanks."

While performing military service, 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.

In addition to the Above and Beyond Award, the Sheriff's Office was recognized as one of three New Jersey employers selected as semi finalists for the 2009 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The award is the U.S Government's highest recognition, given to employers for exceptional support of their employees who are serving in the National Guard and Military Reserve. "Being nominated for this honorable award reinforces the strong support and dedication the Sheriff's Office and Monmouth County has to our employees who serve our country," said Sheriff Guadagno. "This nomination should really go to the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders for their long term commitment to our citizen soldiers."

MasterSgt. Robert Hislip, a United States Marine Corp. Reservist, and a Corrections Officer at the jail, nominated the Sheriff's Office for the award. "It's my way of saying thank you," said MSgt.Hislip. "Knowing that I can serve my country without the added hardship of financial worries makes it a lot less stressful for me and my family."

A total of 131 semi finalists from across the nation were chosen from more than 3200 nominations submitted by National Guard and Reserve members or their families. The awards 15 recipients will be announced in July. The two other New Jersey employers who were chosen as semi finalists are Honeywell International and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.