For many, high school was a time of late-night studying, homework, and an ever-growing social life, but for others, it was something that never existed.

Due to the country’s many wars of the 20th century, many U.S. veterans never went to high school, or had to leave in order to serve.

Thanks to help from a generous donor, veterans of the Black Belt who didn’t complete high school can now receive their own high school diploma for free.

Senior Vice Cmdr. for Disabled American Veterans Willis Chappell said qualifying veterans would receive their diplomas during a special ceremony at Selma High School’s graduation exercises in May.

This educational opportunity, Chappell said, is a positive for veterans.

“I think that it’s wonderful,” Chappell said. “It’s going to open the doors for some veterans. It means that some veterans out here who are employed, some will be able to get a job … get a promotion (and) go to college because they have their high school diploma.”

In a previous interview with the Times-Journal, Chappell said veterans who are deceased can also receive a diploma.