Angels. I remember hearing about them in Sunday school as a child. They were unreal creatures, surrounded by mystery, creatures complete with wings, halos and an ethereal aura encircling them.

Through child eyes, angels seemed distant and required great leaps of faith. It was a difficult thing about which to wrap a small mind.

Years help mould one's view of the world and the view that all angels do not necessarily fit the King James description.

I happen to believe that angels are among us. Every day. Some people might call them heroes. Some say they are just being neighborly.

Regardless of their description, the wonderful acts these people perform daily are immeasurable.

Maybe the hero you know helps out at their church, or perhaps your hero volunteers to help his or her neighbors.

Perhaps the key to recognizing these special people is their own humbleness. Rarely will they seek attention or even a thank-you.

No, these people perform their good deeds because they know it is the right thing to do, the right way to live. A passion for life and a passion for helping out their fellow man, woman, child or animal courses through the veins of these unsung heroes in our community.

Each year, we recognize some of these people in a special edition we publish in February -- Profile.

And each year we need your help in locating these angels among us and nominating them as Unsung Heroes.

It's that time again, and we are now accepting nominations for 2003 Unsung Heroes. Have you had a brush with such an angelic hero? Let us hear about it by nominating that person as an Unsung Hero.

Use one of the forms provided in this edition on page 5A to make your nomination.

Nominations need to include the nominee's name, contact information and your reason for making the nomination.

If you wish to remain anonymous, that's OK, too. However, we do ask that you provide your name to us so we can contact you if we have any questions about the nomination. However, we will, at your request, keep your nomination private.

Perhaps by recognizing these Unsung Heroes, others will be inspired by their great works.

And our community will be much better in the end.

Kevin Cooper is publisher of The Tribune. He can be reached at (740) 532-1445 ext. 12 or by e-mail to kevin.cooper@irontontribune.com.