We at the Shelby County Reporter hear stories daily of military veterans who, upon returning home, go on to amaze us, drawing on the strength they gain from their time in our armed forces.

In this week’s lifestyles section, you can read about Chelsea native Jonathan Herron, who spent 15 months in Iraq with the U.S. Army and is now preparing to compete in a full Ironman triathlon, where he will complete 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles biking and a 26.2-mile marathon as a member of Team USA.

Herron, a Coosa Valley Academy graduate, ran a half marathon in Baghdad before he started doing triathlons.

Recently, we did a story on Sean Dickson, owner of Combat Fitness Training Facility in Hoover, who did a workout involving 4,000 exercises and 10 miles to help collect food items for Backpack Buddies.

Because of his innovative idea and hard work, Backpack Buddies received thousands of food items that went to students in our area. Before becoming a business owner, Dickson spent 10 years in the U.S. Army. He said his military experiences allow him to do things most people think can’t be done.

Herron and Dickson are just two examples out of too many to count. Because of what they gave to our country through their military action and because of what they give to our communities through what they have done since, they and others like them deserve to be praised and honored.

This Friday, for Veterans Day, spend time honoring the vets in your life. Give them a call, send an email or go by to see them and let them know you appreciate what they did in the armed forces and, just as importantly, whatever they’ve done since then as part of our community.

The We Say is the opinion of the Shelby County Reporter editorial board.