July 4th, 1776 is a day that everyone knows.  That's the day that the Declaration of Independence was signed and we became a nation.  Throughout our 234 plus years of existence as a Nation we've changed many things but one thing has always remained constant.  That one constant has always been "The Soldier". The soldier has always been there; steadfast, ready and willing to protect the freedoms that we hold so dear to our heart.  No matter what the situation or how dangerous the mission we've been here ready to complete that mission and serve the people of the greatest nation on the planet.  Throughout history the Soldier has always been thought of as being strong and proud but you should know that there are veterans out there that don't feel that way.  I've had the opportunity during my travels to meet hundreds of vets and as sad as it sounds there are some who feel ashamed to have been a soldier, not because of their service to our great nation but because some people have used their freedom of speech to denounce some or all of the wars in which we have been a part of.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with not liking a war or not agreeing with the government on why we are a part of that war but there are many veterans who suffered from those beliefs by being called some really hateful things or hearing some very hateful remarks towards them because they were a part of that war.  Up until that very sad and tragic morning of September 11th, 2001 part of our nation kinda forgot that the soldier was still there, trained, ready, and willing to put their life on the line to protect what we as a free country had worked so very hard for.  As sad as that day was, it was also the day that we began to heal as both a Nation and a Military.  Over the last 9 years, the military and its soldiers both past and present have been treated better than we ever have.  There is not a day that goes by that someone doesn't come up to me to shake my hand and tell me thank you.  For that I am truly grateful but there are some veterans of past and present wars that haven't had that yet.  I met a WW2 veteran the other day and as I shook his tired and weak hand and told him thank you for his service to our country he was more eager to thank me.  Not for my service but because it was the first time in a long time that he felt proud to be a soldier and all it took was a handshake and a thank you.  I was astonished at that comment but I can tell you that there are many more out there that feel that way.  He was very clear that it was a simple gesture like a handshake and a thank you that helped him to start healing as a person and remember that what he did on June 6th, 1944 and everyday he served after that in combat was important and meaningful.  What I ask is very simple, simply take a moment to approach a person wearing a veteran hat or t-shirt and even those in uniform today and shake their hand or pat them on the back and say thank you.  Those two little words from a perfect stranger mean more than you could ever know.  It will mean just as much or more on the 5th of December or the 10th of June than it will on the 11th of November(Veterans Day).  I feel horrible to the point of tears that there are soldiers out there that still don't feel proud and even feel ashamed to have been apart of America's fighting forces.  Well today and every day after it my friends is your day so stand tall and proud and know that this great and diverse nation is behind you and supports you and wants you to know that you are loved, revered, and honored by so many.  Enjoy it and know that you will never again be forgotten.  God Bless you and I truly hope that you heal as a person and as a soldier and that we will continue to heal as a Nation and a Military.

P.S.- Policemen and Firefighters, you also will never be forgotten and you have all the support and love that you deserve as well.

Drill Sergeant Grabener

Operation Iraqi Freedom 1, 5-7