Headstones honoring America’s war dead now offer a chance at a better life for dozens of veterans. Many who’ve had a hard time adapting to civilian life, or have been unable to find steady work, are learning the tombstone trade: everything from designing the stencils to inscribing the words and images. The gravemarkers are then sent to national cemetaries across the county.

The training is part of a unique jobs program run by the Veterans Employment Agency in Menlo Park, California. For many, learning these skills has brought steady work, and re-newed self respect. After serving in the Navy for 11 years, Penny Rowlan ended up homeless, and lived on the streets for 13 years. She says everything changed after she got help through the VEA. For two years now, she’s earned a good wage from making headstones, and equally important, takes pride in what she calls “the supurb quality control” of her work. We saw her create a stencil, and carefully check the inscription to make sure it matched the information she’d received from the National Cemetary Office in Quantico, Virgina.

The program allows Penny and other homeless vets stay connected to their military lives. It’s clear there’s a bond among those who’ve served our country, both on the battlefield and off. Navy veteran David Miller, who operates the sandblaster, says he’s humbled every time he reads the inscriptions he helps create.

“I come out here and see my brothers and sisters at arms, the ones that were before me, and the ones that were after me. It’s an honor for me to cut their stones,” says Miller. It’s also an honor for the families of the deceased.

At the Sacramento Valley National Cemetary, Jo Ellen Parish says her late husband loved the military, where he served for 20 years in the Air Force. She said he would be pleased, and impressed, to know his headstone was made by fellow veterans. More than 40 homeless vets have found employment since the program began 3 years ago. Along with the job and the self-esteem that comes with it, they get temporary housing, a good monthly wage, and another chance to serve in a deeply meaningful way.