As the nation celebrates its Independence, it's important to remember our troops overseas; still fighting for freedom 233 years after our forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence.

So, when one Lincoln neighborhood found out U.S. Army Pvt. James Kuhn would be home for the Fourth, they planned a surprise celebration his family will never forget.

Yellow 'support our troops' ribbons waved among a sea of red, white and blue, welcoming Pvt. Kuhn home from Germany, as he reunited one by one with sister, mother and father.

The entire celebration was compliments of a neighborhood proud of it's home town hero.

"Unbelievable. I didn't realize how much support I had. I guess I did, but i didn't, and I can't describe the way it made me feel," said Pvt. Kuhn.

It's an impromptu Independence Day celebration his mother won't soon forget.

"I knew I was this proud of him," said Sandy Kuhn, James' mother, "But it makes me feel good to know the rest of the neighborhood feels the same way and is this proud of him."

Pvt. Kuhn will ship out to a more dangerous assignment, Afghanistan, in November.

"I'll be gone by Thanksgiving," said Kuhn.

But, Kuhn said support like this takes some of the fear away.

"I knew when I signed up for the army it was a good decision. And now with all the support, I know it's the best decision I could have made. I'd sign up 1,000 more times," said Pvt. Kuhn. "I want to say thank you, also, to everybody."

To you Pvt. Kuhn, and all our brave men and women in uniform, we say thank you back.

Meanwhile, President Barack Obama commended the military Saturday on extraordinary accomplishments in Iraq. The last combat troops pulled out of cities this week in anticipation of the full withdrawal in 2011.

Although the president told families there will be difficult times ahead. In Afghanistan July 4th, two soldiers were killed in fighting.