A funeral service was held on Tuesday, Nov. 11, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, for Army Staff Sgt. and Vietnam prisoner of war James VanBendegom. 

According to Military Times, the soldier was only 18 years old when he deployed to Vietnam for his first tour of duty in 1967. After just three weeks overseas, VanBendegom disappeared after being seriously injured during combat near the Cambodian border. He was taken by North Vietnamese forces. 

Three days after he was taken, VanBendegom's mother received a knock at the door. She was greeted by Army officials alerting her that her son was missing in action, reported Military Times. The family held out some hope, however, when they got word that POWs would be released and sent home in 1973. Upon learning that their beloved soldier would not be returning with this group of servicemembers, they held a small remembrance ceremony. They later learned from other captured troops that VanBendegom's injuries had been so severe he had perished shortly after being taken. 

As the tight-knit clan tried to move past the grief of their loss, VanBendegom's remains were also being moved. In 1986, a woman in Vietnam found human bones and delivered them to American officials at a refugee camp in Thailand. The bones remained in storage in the U.S. until a genetic match was found. On Oct. 17, they were confirmed as belonging to VanBendegom. His family was alerted and the remains were flown back to his hometown after almost 50 years, reported Military Times. 

According to WISN, many strangers came out for the funeral to support the family, who appreciated the overwhelming show of love. "Unless you experience it first-hand, you just can't grasp the enormity of it. It's hard to put into words," the soldier's brother, Gary VanBendegom, told the source. 

VanBendegom was buried next to his father, a World War II veteran. 

Tuesday, Nov. 11, is Veterans Day, or the day when U.S. citizens express their gratitude to the many servicemembers who have served the nation. According to U.S. News & World Report, there are 21.8 million veterans in the country today. Check out the ways in which you can show your respect and appreciation today and every day.

Attend an event 
There are a number of parades and gatherings taking place across the U.S. on Veterans Day. In Washington, D.C., you can attend the annual ceremony held at Arlington National Cemetery. A wreath is placed at the Tomb of the Unknowns and a parade of colors is put on by different veterans' groups inside the Memorial Amphitheater. New York City holds the largest Veterans Day Parade in the country. According to Newsweek, this year's theme is "Land of the Free, Home of the Brave." The event is sponsored by the United War Veterans Council and runs from 26th Street to 52nd Street along Fifth Avenue.

Invest in their futures
According to CNN, one of the best ways you can pay your respects to those who have served the U.S. is by supporting their employment. About 77 percent of veterans have a hard time finding a job after they leave the military. Unemployment rates are also significantly higher among the veteran population, noted the source. This is especially true for veterans of recent wars – soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan face unemployment rates around 10 percent, compared to the national average of 5.9. Consider hiring veterans or supporting local veteran-owned businesses to display your gratitude for their sacrifices. 

Volunteer
Whatever your talents and resources are, there is a way for you to put them to work by volunteering for a veterans' group. Health professionals, especially those focusing on mental health, are always in high demand for the veteran population. Organizations like Give an Hour allow health care providers to volunteer their time to diagnose, treat and talk to veterans, who are not charged for the appointment. CNN noted that there are a variety of programs that involve connecting servicemembers transitioning to civilian life with people in their community who can help ease the often overwhelming change. 

There are many opportunities to help the families of veterans as well, since many times they also need assistance coping with the realities of war. Groups like the Code of Support Foundation help military families navigate life after service and assists them in choosing the most beneficial resources. 

Lt. John Pritchard was recently inducted into the Hall of Heroes at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. The World War II pilot, who perished in 1942, graduated from the institution in 1938. 

According to Military Times, Pritchard served the Coast Guard on assignments in Greenland. He was doing war-time patrols on a cutter of the coast of the nation when a U.S. Air Force B-17 crashed on an icy tundra. The crew lived but were stranded. Pritchard successfully found the group and rescued two passengers, bringing them back to his ship. The following day, he and a colleague volunteered to return for the remaining stranded soldiers. It was during this second trip that the aircraft exploded shortly after takeoff, killing all three men inside.

A week before this fatal journey, Pritchard had successfully saved members of the Royal Canadian Air Force from an icy death during a dangerous mission. The award ceremony on Friday, Nov. 7, primarily focused on this outstanding accomplishment, noted Military Times. The late servicemember's sister attended the tribute, which included Pritchard's name being added to a wall of honorable Coast Guard members. 

According to Fox News, this recognition of Pritchard's heroism came about after an initiative was launched to recover the aircraft he died in, which is currently in a glacier. In 2010, the Coast Guard, in collaboration with a private contractor, picked up signals on radar of what they thought was the plane wreck and were able to take pictures through ice to confirm the location of the aircraft. When crews returned to the glacier this summer, however, they were not able to find any signs of the plane. Officials, while discouraged, have not given up on someday bringing the remains home. 

"It's safe to say the case is not closed," Cmdr. Brian Glander, the chief of the Office of Aviation Forces at Coast Guard headquarters, told Fox News. 

Three servicemembers from 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York, received a medal on Oct. 31 recognizing their outstanding actions during the rescue of a boater in April. The men were honored with the Soldier's Medal, an award given to those who display heroism and leadership in situations not involving enemies, reported Military Times. 

Spc. Christopher L. Grant and Pvt. Trenton M. Brown were fishing in the Black River when they saw a canoe flip, sending a man and a woman crying out for help as they attempted to navigate the cold, rough waters. The two men tried to use a rope from their truck to pull the boaters in, but it fell short and they could see that the man was struggling to stay afloat, according to an Army report.

The servicemembers received backup when former lifeguard Pfc. Matthew M. Phillips arrived to help them. The Army reported that together, the three soldiers were able to secure a line strong enough to hold them as they all ventured into the almost-freezing waters. Phillips was able to secure the female victim and attach her to the line. The soldiers pulled her to the shore, got her warm clothes and waited for her to get proper medical attention. Unfortunately they were not able to save the male passenger, who perished in the accident. 

"If I could have gotten to the man, I would have, but I just couldn't get to him," Phillips told the Army.

Grant currently works as a paralegal specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, while Brown is a hydraulic repair specialist with B Company, 277th Aviation Support Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, and Phillips is a cavalry Scout formerly assigned to 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team.

Soldiers from the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division's combat aviation brigade are set to receive Humanitarian Service Medals. They will be given their awards during a ceremony on Friday, Nov. 7, at Fort Carson, Colorado. 

According to Military Times, the 100 servicemembers receiving the award are being honored for their actions during the 2013 Colorado floods. The natural disaster killed eight people and completely destroyed over 2,000 Colorado homes. Ultimately, it caused major damage to an area of almost 2,000 square miles. The CAB soldiers are being recognized for their actions between Sept.13-20, a week when their actions were extremely valuable to the devastated state.

During the floods, members of the CAB were an incredible help to the community, reported Military Times. They helped do the country's largest airlift since Hurricane Katrina, getting many citizens to safety. The source noted that these outstanding servicemembers also gave over 500 hours of their time volunteering to help local families affected by the disaster. 

According to the USS Berkeley, the Humanitarian Service Medal is given to soldiers who distinguish themselves while contributing significantly to missions of a humanitarian nature. 

"Stand Up For Heroes" is an event to raise money for the Bob Woodruff Foundation, an organization that aims to help injured servicemembers and their families. The star-studded fundraiser, which started in 2007, celebrated its annual night of music and comedy Wednesday, Oct. 5. 

According to Newsday, the benefit took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City as a part of the New York Comedy Festival. Some of the big-name performers included comedians Louis C.K., Jon Stewart, Jim Gaffigan and musician Bruce Springsteen. Marketwatch reported that Springsteen auctioned off a private guitar lesson, lasagna dinner and motorcycle ride at his home, a package that raised $600,000 for the charity. 

Overall, the sold-out event gathered over $6 million for the foundation, which was created in 2006 after news anchor Bob Woodruff was injured by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan while reporting. The organization has raised over $22 million in services and education for more than 2 million servicemembers and their families nationwide. 

"We've always been so proud of Stand Up for Heroes and know what can happen when a movement of generosity inspires thousands more to act," Woodruff told Marketwatch. 

Although the overall number of politicians and lawmakers with military experience is on the decline, Congress will be getting an increase in Afghanistan and Iraq veterans in 2015. 

According to Military Times, at least 22 veterans of these wars have officially won their races and will be part of the new class. The six democrats and 16 republicans will join the existing 17 Iraq and Afghanistan vets currently in office. 

Right now, there are 106 veterans in total serving in Congress. This number will drop next year but is still expected to remain above 100 as of now. Military Times noted that since the 1950s there have not been fewer than 100 former servicemembers in Congress at any given time. 

According to St. Louis Today, many veterans are hoping this downward trend will not go on and that more young vets will continue to run. The source noted that many veterans feel as though military experience is a valuable resource that should be decently present in the government. 

"Whether or not a member of Congress is a veteran doesn't affect their desire to address a problem, but their intimate knowledge of experience with deploying is really a key factor," Nick McCormick, legislative associate at the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, told St. Louis Today.

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Ralph Rigby, the last continuously serving active-duty Vietnam War draftee, is retiring after 42 years in the Army. 

According to the U.S. Army, Rigby had no plans for a military life when he was drafted at age 19 in 1972. Upon receiving his notice in the mail, his first reaction was to run away and dodge the draft. When he expressed his concerns to his mother, she reminded him that she did not raise a quitter, and that serving his country was a noble calling. 

Rigby was first assigned to Fort Dix, New Jersey. From there he was trained in power equipment repairing at the United States Army Engineer School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. While he was drafted during the Vietnam War, the servicemember never served there. Instead, his first overseas assignment was in Kwachon, South Korea. According to the Army, Rigby knew that military life was for him after that first deployment. He quickly signed up to remain on activeduty and climbed up through the ranks. 

Throughout his lengthy Army career, Rigby took on many roles, from platoon sergeant to engineer equipment maintenance supervisor. His favorite positions were ones that included fixing things. According to his colleagues, his passion and talent for maintenance was one of the defining features of his service. He was always willing to work hard to fix things. 

Military Times reported that the soldier's retirement ceremony took place Monday, Nov. 3, which was also his 62nd birthday. He plans to spend his life after service in Fayetteville, North Carolina. 

"It's mandatory to get old, but only optional to grow up. The Army has allowed me to travel and see things that I would have never seen otherwise. For that, I am thankful," he told the Army. 

As part of an ongoing reform of VA legislation, some veterans will receive "choice cards" this week. The cards will enable the former servicemembers to use private medical care providers and have Veterans Affairs pay the bill. 

According to Military Times, the program, which was approved by Congress in July, will last for two years. The first veterans to receive their cards must live at least 40 miles from the closest VA facility. Once they get their card in the mail, they can officially register for the program through private medical contractors and get a referral within 5 days. The second round of cards being sent out will go to veterans who are on a VA center waitlist that exceeds 30 days. 

Military Times reported that 700,000 veterans will receive cards between these two groups. After December, the 8 million remaining veterans who are signed up for government health programs will get cards as well. They will not be able to use them because they do not fit the card criteria, but they are receiving them in case their future circumstances change and they become eligible for the program. 

The initiative aims to help veterans get the care they need while the VA undergoes a vast makeover. This comes after this summer's VA scandal, when long wait times and improper care at the institutions were exposed. In addition to reevaluating facility staffs and implementing the choice cards, officials have started sharing wait times with the public electronically and issued 27 new leases to increase the amount of care available.

"We're hoping that for those veterans, this will all be pretty seamless," Dr. James Tuchschmidt, VA's acting principal deputy under secretary for health, told Military Times. 

Active duty drill Sgt. Christiana Ball, winner of the 2013 Rising Star competition put on by Army Entertainment, will perform alongside some of the world's most notable musicians at A Salute to the Troops: In Performance at the White House.

Ball, who is a sergeant with the 787th Military Police Battalion from Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, began performing as a child with her eight brothers and sisters, according to Military Times. They toured to entertain local churches, and soon enough the soldier was taking center stage as a soloist. 

Music took a back seat when Ball enlisted in 2007, but soon became an active part of her service life. On a deployment to Iraq with the 463rd Military Police Company, she performed using a karaoke machine for the first time and started to learn more about different artists. Growing up she mainly listened to church music, but through her Army friends she became a fan of country and rock and roll.

Ball will perform at the White House on Thursday, Nov. 6. Some additional artists who will be lending their talents to the event include Mary J. Blige and Willy Nelson.