Gregory N. Millard, 22

Soon we will mark the 8th Anniversary of 9/11 and the 3rd 9/11 Anniversary since our Shortie (US Army Corporal & Paratrooper Gregory N. Millard) went on to a higher mission. One of Shorties greatest reasons for enlisting in the U.S.Army 82nd Airborne Division was because of 9/11. My Nephew was one of the happiest care free young men you could hope to ever meet. He loved his family, fiance, life and his fellow soldiers. When he first enlisted he went through many changes, asked many questions and endured much pain, never complaining outside of his father, never quiting. I am sure to this day that many would never understand how tough a young man Shortie became. Like ALL GOOD Soldiers he matured beyond his years, witnessed what no man should have to see and endured under conditions only those that were with him in Iraq could understand and withstand. When his leave ended and the T-Shirt and Shorts came off and his Airborne Uniform went on, he changed into the Soldier and man he had become. It is easy for people to sit back and throw insults and criticize our soldiers and leaders, cowards have always hidden behind others. Whether elected officials, entertainers or people of high visibility, they seek to insult those that like my Nephew have fought and died to give them this right. We do not expect them to understand what they have never endured, we only ask that they respect those that have stepped forward to defend their rights and liberties. In the case of my Nephew Corporal Gregory N. Millard, he gave it ALL and then gave more. On May 26, 2007 3 of our countries finest men gave ALL they had and were called to a higher mission and 2 never fully recover from their injuries. These are but a few of the millions of soldiers over the hundreds of years that have fought, sacrificed and died so ALL of you can live FREE. Never forget our Hero Corporal Gregory N. Millard (Shortie), Don't just take a moment on 9/11 to remember Him and All Others, but take a moment each day to say thank you Shortie. I DO! God Bless America and God Bless Shortie - Airborne All The Way. We will NEVER FORGET OUR SOLDIERS AND VETERANS, Heroe's ALL.