The war veterans of Perry Hall are largely unseen heroes. While the horrors and triumphs of war changed them forever, many went on to find careers, raise families and, for the most part, live like the average Americans they fought to protect.

I interviewed and photographed six of them at the Veterans Day Breakfast at the Seven Oaks Senior Center on Tuesday, Nov. 9. These are their stories.

Name: Preston Wollett
Age: 86
Place of Birth: Baltimore
Current Residence: Nottingham
Military Branch: Army
Service: World War II
Occupation: Retired Assistant Vice President of Mercy Hospital in Baltimore

Wollett said he most remembers being wounded by an artillery shell while fighting in the Battle of Okinawa in Japan. "I saw four men lying on the ground, blood flowing everywhere," he said. "I've worn braces on my knees ever since." He was awarded the Purple Heart for his service.

Name: Leo M. Kelly, Jr.
Age: 90
Place of Birth: Raleigh, North Carolina
Current Residence: Parkville
Military Branch: Marines
Service: World War II
Occupation: Retired electrical engineer

Witnessing all of the people killed and wounded during the war had the greatest impact on Kelly. "I saw thousands of them," he said. "When it ended we couldn't have been happier." He fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima and the Battle of Saipan. He was wounded in the shoulder, back and both legs. He was discharged as result of his injuries and awarded the Purple Heart and Golden Star.

Name: Michael Petti
Age: 87
Place of Birth: Baltimore
Current Residence: Perry Hall
Military Branch: Army
Service: World War II
Occupation: Retired worker for a United States steamship company

Petti fought in the Battle of Leyte Gulf and throughout the Philippines. When they landed in Manila, he said, "I saw my first dead Japanese and I took his rifle. I took it home with me and sold it." He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.

Name: Jerome Jones
Age: 74
Place of Birth: Baltimore
Current Residence: Perry Hall
Military Branch: Army
Service: Korean War
Occupation: Retired letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service

In remembering his time in Korea, Jones said, "I went in as a kid and left a man." He said his most memorable experience of the war was before he started fighting in it. On the way to Korea, the plane carrying his company caught fire and had to land in Japan, he said, "We spent three days there and had a nice time."

Name: Paul Wolod
Age: 77
Place of Birth: Annapolis
Current Residence: Perry Hall
Military Branch: Army
Service: Korean War
Occupation: Retired merchandise buyer for Hecht's department store

Wolod left for battle when he was only 16-years-old. "I left home right after I graduated high school," he said. He worked in the Army Quartermaster Corps, bringing supplies to the wounded soldiers. He said he didn't see much action but witnessing the impact of war changed him forever.

Name: Harry F. Page III
Age: 64
Place of Birth: Washington, D.C.
Current Residence: Glen Arm
Military Branch: Army
Service: Vietnam
Occupation: Retired florist business worker and Baltimore County Schools employee

"I was a cook—that's probably what saved my life," said Page, who was drafted into service in Vietnam. Though he spent much of his time on base, he said his glimpses of war were horrible. "It was all nasty. It was nothing ever good," he said.