This past Thursday, Dec. 28, we wrapped up our veteran series, “In service to our country …”

For 73 weeks, we featured a new profile of someone from the area whose service we were and continue to be indebted to.

The stories were just a small glimpse into the lives of those men and women who committed themselves to the service of our nation. Some engaged in battle, others quietly served without a lot of fanfare. All have demonstrated a love of country and a willingness to give so much more when they were asked.

American Legion Post 46 Commander Randy Kessler and I worked together on trying to find different ways to recognize these heroes. And while most of us understand we can never do enough to show them how much we appreciate their service, we hope this series, at the very least, provided a well-deserved “thank you.”

In a world too often fragmented by political division, chaos, scandal and “alternative facts,” there can be no disagreement that the men and women pictured above, as well as the countless others who have served our country, are more than worthy of our appreciation.

Journalists are often criticized for being too cynical or jaded. I won’t argue that.

But having the privilege of writing and publishing stories about these heroes erased any trace of cynicism. Their stories were remarkable, often emotional and served as a testament to their dedication and patriotism.

Whatever frustrations we may have with the world around us, every Thursday we were reminded that there is, indeed, good in the world and the men and women we profiled were and area emblematic of that.

Our correspondent Chuck Friend, along with staff writers Mike Donahey, Sara Jordan-Heintz and Adam Sodders, summer intern Mike Burvee and I, have been gratified at the overwhelming response we received during the course of this series. Being able to share these veterans’ stories has served as an emotional touchstone, connecting all of us with those who have given so much to this country, whose sacrifices should never go unnoticed.

And though this series has come to an end, we will continue to recognize the men and women who have served and continue to serve unselfishly with honor and dignity.

So with that, to all those veterans who shared their stories, and to those whose stories have yet to be told, we say thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

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Contact Jeff Hutton at 641-753-6611 or jhutton@timesrepublican.com