Have you not been impressed? Have you not been brought nearly to tears or swollen with pride?

The series of articles we began publishing last week, featuring some of our area’s military veterans, has brought out so many emotions — not only from those being interviewed — but those who have read the stories.

These men, these heroes, have lived amazing lives, but those lives contain images and events most of us could never imagine or would ever want to experience.

They have seen the horrors of war, whether on the sandy beaches of Iwo Jima or the sand fields of Iraq, and a number of places in between.

In each case, the veterans have shared their stories, their horrors, but each time, they talk about their friends, their brothers in arms and the camaraderie forged in battle.

These stories were written, and the photos taken, by journalism students at the University of Mississippi. They did a stellar job in their reporting and a great job in their storytelling.

We appreciate their partnership in this series and look forward to what their careers as journalists hold for them. If these stories are any indication, they all have bright futures.

But as for these veterans, our neighbors and friends, this is not the first time many have shared their stories. And, for some, their memories contain stories they might never share.

We thank them for their time, their openness and most of all, their service.

Our veterans, men and women, World War II veterans or veterans of battles in Afghanistan and Iraq, are treasures of our community and our nation. And, they should be treated as such.

As we approach Veterans Day Friday, let us remember the sacrifice our veterans — all of our veterans — gave in the service of their country. Their service was out of love of country, our way of life and the fundamental freedoms we as Americans have.

God bless and thank you.