For those of you who don’t know, I enjoy meeting people and telling the stories of the unsung heroes.

My job as a journalist often calls for countless interview and picture sessions. I enjoy taking the time to get to know the individuals who make major impacts in their community but do it all behind the scenes.

Thursday, once again, allowed me to tell the stories of those who don’t toot their own horns so to speak.

In honor of Veterans Day, I was able to get to know four awesome U.S. Military veterans — naval officer and pharmacist Winfred Brown, Air Force Airman and former Selma City councilman Lorenzo Harrison and U.S. Army soldiers Aurelia Craig, a sergeant and Melvin Hall, a specialist. As representatives of four different wars, these service men and women have seen an array of things firsthand that I’ve only seen in documentaries.

I come from a military family. Born in Seville, Spain to two Navy veterans, I moved around a lot and didn’t keep friends long. My maternal grandfather served as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force in World War II, while my paternal grandfather was awarded the Purple Heart after the war.

My uncles, cousins and two sisters were also awarded for their service while stationed in Afghanistan, Korea or Kuwait. Needless to say, I’m very familiar with military life.

From the stories of escaping enemy fire, to fighting behind enemy lines, the stories I heard Thursday were ones of courage, strength, determination and most of all, sacrifice.

I can honestly say, I don’t think I’m brave enough to put on a uniform and sacrifice my life while fighting for my country.

I don’t think I could handle being away from my loved ones for more than a month’s time, much less a year or more. I don’t think I could handle the worry, the pain or discomfort of not being able to sleep in comfort because the enemy could attack at any given moment.

It takes a strong, selfless person to risk his or her life so that others can live. And to all the veterans who have fought or are still fighting, I give a heartfelt “thanks.”