i'm a veteran with great pride. i'm a father. i'm a husband. i'm an uncle. i'm a son. i'm an american soldier. i serve for you. i fought with you. and i would die for you. >> reporter: dave sutherland led 5,000 troops in iraq, we first met him on patrol in 2007. >> they were sick and tired of al qaeda. >> reporter: now retired, his journey to serve continues. with one passion, helping veterans coming home. >> we believe in everything we do that our veterans, our military families with be families of the fallen can thrive where they live. >> reporter: a journey of absolute commitment he's made with colleague kim mitchell, a former naval officer. they are here talking to vet vans and veterans advocates. >> something in my heart told me that this is what i was men the to do. given my background, given the fact that the only reason i'm here is because of the vietnam