U.S. Marines Guest on ABC's THE MIDDLE in Honor of Veterans Day

In honor of Veterans Day, former Marines William Franco Vasquez and Nick Jones, Jr. are set to guest star on ABC's THE MIDDLE. In the episode "Thanksgiving IV," airing today, November 14 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET), Frankie (Patricia Heaton) tries to do a good deed for Thanksgiving by inviting a couple of Marines to celebrate the holiday with her family. But with Frankie's parents, Pat and Tag (Marsha Mason and Jerry Van Dyke), constantly bickering, the good deed may not go unpunished.

William Franco Vasquez

William Franco Vasquez served in the Marines from 2000-2004, receiving an honorable discharge as a sergeant. He was initially stationed at an infantry unit at 29 Palms for two years. In 2002 he joined a reconnaissance unit at Camp Pendleton, was part of the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion and deployed to the Middle East. His battalion was one of the first wave of Marines in Iraq. Among his numerous medals and commendations, Vasquez earned the Purple Heart, the Navy/Marine Corp Achievement Medal, and his unit received the Presidential Unit Citation.

Nick Jones, Jr.

Nick Jones, Jr. joined the United States Marine Corps, served seven years on active duty and received an honorable discharge in August 2012 as a sergeant. Among his medals and ribbons earned were the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon (2x), Marine Corps Good Conduct Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserves Ribbon, Select Marine Corps Reserve Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Ribbon, Expert Pistol Badge, Expert Rifle Badge and Brown Belt Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. He is currently serving in the Marine Corps Reserves, stationed at Camp Pendleton in Southern California, and is enrolled in the prestigious New York Film Academy.

Photo credit: ABC/MICHAEL ANSEL