According to Politico.com, Joint Chief of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen told Congress there is a “growing disconnect between the American people and the military.”

Some veterans agree.

“They don’t have the slightest ideas of the sacrifices, not only the military person, but more deeply, and it hurts deeply because of the sacrifices of the military families,” said Joe Moreno, a veteran of the Vietnam War.

Mullen said Americans should show more long-term support for U.S. service members.

Politico.com noted that he would like to see businesses perhaps give veterans a preference when hiring them or at least an equal shot.

"I believe El Paso businesses are receptive and I know I’m a good example of it,” said Joe Moreno, a car salesman at Bravo Cadillac where the owner served as a U.S. Marine and is known to hire veterans.

But not everyone agrees with this idea.

"Well I don’t think we should give them any sort of preference when it comes to a job like that. It should be an equal opportunity, said Kathryn Holly, who has a friend serving in Iraq.

Holly said she does appreciate what the military does and that she feels Americans don’t do enough to show support for military members.

Here in El Paso she said she often hears negative comments about soldiers.

“Who is anybody to judge anyone as far as drinking and the stress that they go through,” Holly told KFOX.

A U.S. Army reserve member said she feels like the community is doing their part. She said it was evident when a stranger approached her when she went shopping Thursday night.

"He said ‘Thank you for what you do.’ And I looked, and I said, ‘You are welcome,’ because I didn't expect that,” said Maneasseaha Bartimus.

Bartimus said it’s all about unity.

“We’re more alike than we are different,” she said.

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