SALADO, Texas (KWTX) - A retired Marine Corps veteran in Salado received a surprise home makeover after fellow veterans learned she was living with little more than an air mattress and a couple of folding tables.

Minnie Whitzel served over 30 years of combined service in the Marines and reserves.

She first enlisted in 1973 after seeing friends being drafted during Vietnam."They were gone. Some, I saw come back but not back to school. Others, went to the cemetery. So, I decided that I wanted to join," Whitzel said.