Why not try to make your own glass. The clear plastic from soda bottles would work. Make a paper template first and take your time making it fit well before you use it to cut the plastic.
Stay here, read, experiment and most importantly have fun. A lot of extremely talented folks here and most will be happy to tell you just how they do things.
As a veteran I will always be proud of my service. I wish more people in this country appreciated all that has been done and is continuing to be done daily on our behalf. There is no group of people that sacrifice much for so little in return.