As the setting sun was about to hit the horizon, two local heroes drove their way through Atmore.

Atmore Resident Tom Tschida helped set up the welcome for Army National Guardsmen and Sgts. Jacob Maholovich and Michael Bailey, who returned home after a stint in Kuwait.

Standing there taking photos of the event as the Atmore police and fire departments escorted the pair in, I couldn’t help but feel proud and thankful.

I was proud to have the ability and freedom to welcome these guys home, and thankful for their sacrifice for our country. I got a little teary-eyed just thinking about what they had to endure.

Nowadays, whenever I see a veteran I make sure to thank them for their service to our country. It’s important, and something I’ve written about in this space that all need to make a habit of doing.

After both made it home, Mayor Jim Staff and the rest of the city council presented them with a key to the city. That was a pretty cool moment.

The drive through went by pretty quickly, but it was good to see residents and other veterans welcoming the boys home.

When it was all said and done, I went back to take a picture of the sign on the Strand Theatre that welcomed them home.

Tschida was standing nearby and he came over to say a few words.

I told him that that was pretty cool what just happened.

He agreed, added that it was something to put together and was happy to do it as it’s something we all should do — welcome our veterans home.