Gov. Phil Murphy kicked off the Memorial Day weekend by attending a special ceremony in Burlington County with the state's National Guard and hundreds of veterans and their families.

The ceremony was held at the William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for America. The cemetery is New Jersey's only state-owned veterans cemetery and more than 3,000 veterans are buried there each year.

Guests were invited to lay wreaths in their honor and participate in a march led by various veterans' groups.
GUIDE: Memorial Day Parades 
RELATED: Essex County holds wreath laying ceremony to honor veterans

Gov. Murphy made a special point to thank the nation's veterans, their families and those currently serving.

"They weren't soldiers because they were from New Jersey," said Gov. Murphy. "But I believe they were better soldiers because they were from New Jersey."

Others in the audience explained what Memorial Day and remembering are veterans is all about.

"To make sure that everyone in this country-- all people, all races, all religions come together and are able to exercise the freedoms that this country is all about," said Committeeman Chris Doyle of North Hanover. "That’s what it means to me."