Every hour of every day, in corners of the world near and far, the men and women of the United States armed forces are hard at work keeping us safe. That’s why it’s important to pause every Nov. 11—Veterans Day—to remember the sacrifices so many have made for the rest of us.

For active duty military receiving their pay, along with veterans collecting their well-deserved benefits, Direct Deposit is there to serve. It helps make life easier, as funds are deposited straight into bank and credit union accounts, regardless of where a person is stationed or serving.

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Gavin Heater wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Direct Deposit is a long-term feature of my credit union,” said Heater. That applied both to when he was in the Army and now in his civilian job. He also has used Split Deposit to put some of his pay into savings. “It made me a more disciplined banking customer.”

In fiscal year 2017 (the most recent for which complete figures are available), the Department of Veterans Affairs made nearly 65.7 million payments by Direct Deposit. That’s 97.2% of the VA’s payments, according to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, and is a substantial increase from a decade earlier, when 80.2% of the VA’s payments were by Direct Deposit.

Along with Direct Deposit, Heater is a fan of online bill pay, especially when you don’t have to worry about it.

“We let the credit union autopay some bills,” said Heater, a former battalion commander whose 29-year ROTC cadet, active duty and Reserve Army career included two tours in Iraq and two bronze stars.

On Veterans Day, and every day, all Americans should be grateful to those who serve. And Nacha, as steward of the ACH Network, is proud to help make their lives a bit easier with Direct Deposit.