#Veteran of the Day: Daniel Williams

Written by Adam Druckman   |   December 1, 2017Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Marine Corps Veteran Daniel Williams. Daniel served in the Marines from 2000 to 2004 and wrote the song “Breathe In, Breathe Out” as part of Operation Song.Daniel served as an assaultman and served in Iraq. In “Breathe In, Breathe Out”, Daniel describes many of the challenges he faced during his service. The song serves as a powerful story about some of the difficulties that he and many others faced.“We came home to peace, but we fight each day.”After his service, Daniel worked a number of jobs, including at the Department of Veteran’s Affairs and for the National Parks Service. He currently works as a horse trainer and with Operation Song.“Breathe in, breathe out, ignore the screams and hear the shouts.”With the help of the volunteers at Operation Song, Daniel wrote “Breathe In, Breathe Out.” Daniel described writing his first draft as “an emotionally draining experience.” He worked with the volunteers to make his idea into a coherent, chronological piece that then become “Breathe In, Breathe Out”.“Just tell yourself, breathe in, breathe out.”Daniel has enjoyed working with Operation Song and believes the work they do is very important. The organization has helped him and many other Veterans cope after returning from combat.Thank you for your service, Daniel!You can listen to Daniels’ Song “Breathe In, Breathe Out” on Soundcloud here:https://soundcloud.com/operationsong-tm/breathe-in-breathe-out Source: VAntage Point, the Official Blog of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.