This week, I had the opportunity to cover three Veterans Day events that truly found their way into my heart.

Veterans Day is a special day to many people and to many families. The same is true for my own family. My grandfather, Max Carpenter, is a veteran himself, and put in many years with the National Guard. My uncle, Randy Royer, is also a veteran who served with the National Guard.

Nov. 5 marked five years since my family almost lost my uncle. That was a tragic day for so many people, and a day that still haunts those that were affected by a senseless shooting that killed 14 innocent people on the base of Ft. Hood.

Tuesday was Veterans Day. It was a day to recognize all veterans, and come together in support of our country’s greatest heroes.

On Monday, I was able to go to Valley Grande Elementary School and listen to a wonderful Army veteran, Tim Johns. Johns was absolutely wonderful with the third-graders, and managed to bring tears to my eyes with the sincere words that he spoke during the class. He made it fun for the kids, but at the same time taught them the real meaning behind Veterans Day.

As soon as I left the school, I rushed over to Vaughn Place Senior Living to cover their first ever Veterans Day Program. It was great to see members of the community come out and support the veterans of the center. They all seemed to enjoy singing patriotic songs and really had a good time releasing balloons painting the sky red, white and blue.

Tuesday morning, as I made my way over to the Veterans Day Program at Memorial Stadium, my grandfather and my uncle were on my mind. I am so grateful that my veterans are here to celebrate a day in their honor.

After covering the event, I was able to talk with a few veterans in attendance. One of them really stuck out to me.

Craig Long is an Army veteran that decided to attend his first Veterans Day celebration on Tuesday. Long said he has never been to one before, saying he felt like an outsider because of his service.

It broke my heart to hear him say that and to think that somewhere down the line, someone is responsible for him feeling that way.

All of our veterans should be proud of who they are and what they have done to protect this country, and the rest of America should join together to salute these brave men and women. Long said that after going to the event Tuesday, he plans on attending every veterans from now on. Long said he wants to go to a 173rd Airborne Brigade homecoming, and he hopes he can before he dies.

I really hope his wish comes true, as all of our veterans deserve to be welcomed home with open arms.