[JamesHamm]

This seems like a hot one. I'm in Iraq right now on my fourth tour (DS/DS) / Prov. Comfort / OIF I / OIF III and our climate and culture inside the Army are not known today like it seemed to be 40 to 50 years ago. The types of Soldiers who enlist are different, their goals are different and they are simply a reflection of our society. Most of us in the Army / military don't really care about what is on TV and who says what. It really seems to matter to those who are not in the military or have never served. I can say that I have recieved more support from the American public during this conflict than any of the 5 others I have been involved with. If I email someone for help it gets done and its almost always free. I have had 29 different U.S. based companies help me with things from maintenance, to supply, to engineering and troubleshooting. None of these people were obligated and all of them have helped. Personally, I believe the majority of good Americans doesn't care about what the media says or reports. They are old enough and smart enough to make up their own damn minds. The best thing in the world that we can do is pass ton he story of the Soldier / Marine / Airman / Sailor that we know. Telling the story from a personal point of view is alwasy a positve way to impact the perception of the American Military to the American Public. I am just a company First Sergeant and I have 300 Soldiers here with me. None of us are heros and none of us are trying to be one. I can tell you that after two return trips from Iraq, the public support everywhere I go is tremendous and often overwhelming. I didn't pay for anything on the return trip home to Miami. At every stop a complete stranger did something incredibly kind for me and the Soldiers I was traveling with. People came out of the woodworks to shake my hand, say thank you, and let me know that me and my guys and girls are appreciated. If that is public bashing, then all I can say is keep up the good work. We all appreciate it.