The U.S. Coast Guard protects America's coastlines from enemies, but it also conducts routine training missions, inspects incoming cargo and boards ships when necessary.

The 4-ton cannon sitting in Sioux City's Memorial Park Cemetery isn't in the best shape of its life. Paint's peeling off the metal, revealing some rust underneath, the wooden wheels are rotting, and the spindles in those wheels are either missing or rotting.

When Alfonso Gonzales transferred from Compton Junior College to the University of Southern California in 1947, he had no idea how long it would take to complete his degree. A World War and 70 years later, this 96-year-old veteran has become the oldest person to graduate from the university and an inspiration to countless others.

The Biloxi National Cemetery's Vietnam Memorial Service on March 29, 2016, had a profound effect on Charles Fink. Not only did he get to meet many veterans of the Vietnam War, but he also learned about their experiences after, in particular how poorly there were treated.

Within six years, the Hillsborough Homeless Initiative has helped over 500 homeless people find temporary housing and over 200 get permanent housing or back in touch with their families.

The Black Hawk County Veterans Affairs Commission uses a unique tactic to meet area veterans. Every Wednesday at 11 a.m., from late April to late June, members of the commission host a hot dog lunch at Lincoln Park in downtown Waterloo, Iowa.

Lt. Col. Luta "Cornie" McGrath served in the U.S. Army for 17 years, starting at the height of World War II and serving during the most intense parts of the Cold War. Throughout her tenure in the military, McGrath earned her way to one of the highest ranks ever achieved by a woman at that time.

A lack of transportation is one obstacle facing many veterans who try to maintain regular work after getting back on their feet. Enter the Good Wheels for Veterans initiative, a partnership between Goodwill Industries of Central Alabama and the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System.

Melvin Rector had a feeling he needed to return to the country he fought so bravely to protect in World War II. As it turns out, so did fate.

There's nothing quite like hearing the stories of a veteran in person.