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STONEVILLE — Marilyn Swinson, 74, considers herself a poet, having published two books of poetry.

She’s never really considered writing anything else.

So when Pete Comer, commander of Combat Airmen/Joshua’s Troop, asked Swinson to write the stories of veterans in the group, she was a little hesitant.

“I said 'yes’ right off but then I got to thinking how important the stories were and I became afraid I couldn’t do them justice,” she said. “I am a real advocate for veterans, so I wanted their stories told in the best possible way.”

During the summer of 2007, Swinson began the project that eventually would lead to the publication in the fall of 2011 of “Scars of War,” a 214-page hardback.

The book was launched Oct. 16 with a program at Woodbine Baptist Church in Mayodan. Swinson autographed nearly 100 copies. Members of the organization, including many of those featured in the book, were on hand to talk with guests and autograph their segments.

Retired Brigadier Gen. Floyd C. Adams Jr. of Greensboro also was on hand to sign the books. He provided an endorsement on the back cover.

Comer was the first person Swinson interviewed, and he was instrumental in helping her set up interviews with the other veterans. In all, Swinson talked with 40 veterans from various wars.

Damon Alberty’s description of the Bataan Death March was the most heart-rending, Swinson said.

“They all did what they were called upon to do and went through a lot, but he saw so much tragedy at such an early age,” Swinson said.

Also poignant was the story of Tuskegee Airman Harvey Alexander because of what he went through “just to have the opportunity to fight for his country,” the author said.

Some of the vets were hesitant when they first began. In fact, Orville Mabe told Swinson no but called her back about three weeks later.

“I was amazed at how modest each of them was. They wanted to talk about what others had done,” Swinson said. “They just started out that they didn’t do much compared to other people, but then I was just blown away with all they had gone through when they had finished.”

Many broke down and cried while sharing their experiences, Swinson said.

Laura DuFore and Olga “Dusty” Lathrop are the only two women featured in the book. DuFore passed away before Swinson could interview her, so material about her experiences came from an autobiography she had written.

Swinson, a native of Greensboro, moved to Stoneville 45 years ago after her husband, Marvin “Nick” Swinson, became a partner in Schultz Oil Co. Two years later, he started M&M Auto Parts.

Swinson worked with her husband for a while. A high school dropout, she enrolled at Rockingham Community College to get an associate’s degree. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English and master’s degree in counseling from UNCG.

For 15 years, she was a family counselor with Rockingham County’s Youth Services. After her retirement in 2000, Swinson continued facilitating parenting classes.

The Swinsons have three sons — Mike, Tim and Joe — and three grandsons, Brock, Caleb and Jonah.

“Writing the book probably was the greatest experience of my life. I learned so much about what our freedom has cost us just by talking to these men and women. They were willing to just turn their lives upside down and leave their families and homes and go wherever they were sent. They are all heroes to me.”

Reidsville native Ann Fish has lived in Eden since 1979. Contact her at annsomersfish@yahoo.com.