06/13/2026
A Message from Shawn Bertholf
Vice President and Co-Founder, Honor Box Studios
I recently watched the story of twin brothers Joe and Earl Granville, shared during the National Memorial Day Concert—and I will be honest: I shed many tears.
Their story reached me in a way I was not prepared for.
Earl and Joe entered military service together shortly before September 11, 2001. Earl went on to serve in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. During his final deployment, a roadside bomb took his left leg and the lives of two of his fellow soldiers. Then, in 2010, Earl experienced another devastating loss when his twin brother, Joe, died by su***de after his own struggle with PTSD.
It is difficult to comprehend the weight one person can be asked to carry.
Yet Earl continues to stand.
He does not pretend that the pain never happened. He does not hide the scars or offer empty words about resilience. Instead, he has chosen to take the most painful chapters of his life and use them to help others understand that they are not alone.
That is influence.
Influence is not simply measured by followers, likes, views or engagement. "True influence is measured by the lives we touch, the conversations we begin and the hope we give someone who may be struggling to find a reason to keep moving forward."
Earl has used his platform to speak honestly about combat injuries, grief, mental health, su***de, adversity and the importance of finding purpose. He has carried his message across the country through public speaking, adaptive athletics and service to others—reminding people that moving forward does not mean forgetting those we have lost. It means carrying them with us.
After watching Joe and Earl’s story, my respect for Earl grew even deeper.
This is why he was so deserving of becoming the first recipient of the Veteran Social Media Influencer Award at the 2026 National Social Media Awards.*The award was presented on June 7 in Hollywood, but what it represents reaches far beyond one evening or one stage.
Earl represents the very best of what a veteran influencer can be: authentic, courageous, compassionate and committed to serving long after the uniform comes off.
He reminds us that our stories have power.
He reminds us that vulnerability is not weakness.
He reminds us that purpose can emerge from unimaginable pain.
Most importantly, he continues to honor Joe—not only by remembering his life, but by using their story to help save and strengthen the lives of others.
Earl, you did not simply deserve this award because of what you have survived. You deserved it because of what you have chosen to do with your survival.
On behalf of Honor Box Studios, congratulations, brother. We are honored to know you, proud to support you and grateful for the example you continue to set for the veteran community and beyond.
Keep carrying the weight.
Keep building the bricks.
Keep giving others a reason to believe that their story is not over.
