HASTINGS, Neb.— The Hastings Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a veterans recognition dinner on Wednesday evening.

The meal will be held at the Hastings Masonic Temple at 6:00 p.m. The Chamber will be honoring this year’s Veterans Parade Marshals: Beau Huffman, Valerie Siebrass, Frank Smedra and Don Smith. 

Price for the meal is $20 per person. Veterans and a guest of their choosing will receive a free meal. 

The Chamber of Commerce is also opening entry forms for the veterans recognition parade. Forms are to be returned to the PO Box of Hastings Veterans Recognition Parade, or emailed.

 

Valerie Sierras was born and raised in Hastings and graduated from Hastings High School in 1984. Six days after her 18th birthday, she boarded a bus for Paris Island, North Carolina, as a United States Marine recruit. During basic training, she qualified on several military weapons, including the M-16.

Lance Corporal Sierras auditioned for the Marine Corps Band and was selected for her vocal abilities, playing the piano and base drums. While serving as a member of the Marine Corps Band, she was stationed at LFTC Norfolk, Virginia and the First Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California. 

During her time with the band, her unit played at events in Canada, Wisconsin, Nevada, California and the 1985, and 87 Rose Bowl Parades. They also covered many Military Balls. 

She was called up for service in Desert Storm. She served four years active and four years inactive, separating from the Marine Corp on April 28, 1992.

After returning to Hastings, Valerie became involved with the Hastings Volunteer Fire Department, Violinist with the Hastings Civic Symphony and was involved with the music ministry at Hastings Presbyterian Church. 

Valeria anther husband have two children. They enjoy hunting and fishing together. The family has participated in Catfish Tournaments in Kansas where Valerie reeled in a 68-pound Blue Catfish.

 

Frank James Smedra arrived in the world on March 24, 1944. His parents, John and Grace, farmed in the area of the Loup River Valley and Frank grew up as the middle son in the family of three boys. Frank graduated from Loup City High School in May of 1962. Like many Nebraska farm boys of that generation, Frank’s life revolved around country school, farm chores, hunting and fishing. This would all change in the 1960s. 

Frank enlisted in the U.S. Army and was inducted on April 28, 1966 at the Loup City Local Board 85. He was sent to Fort Lynwood, Missouri for basic training, followed by Advanced Jungle Infantry and light weapons training at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Sargent Smedra arrived in Vietnam in October of 1966. He was assigned to the First Infantry Division, 1st / 16th - A Company.

Sargent Smedra was wounded while serving in Vietnam. He spent two months in Japan recovering from his injuries. He was given the choice to go back to the United States but chose to rejoin his unit, stating, “I needed to get back to my boys.”

During his tour of duty, Frank received the Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and on December of 1966, Sargent Frank Smedra was awarded the Purple Heart. Sargent Smedra was honorably discharged on April 26, 1968.

 

Our Air Force Marshal, Airman First Class, Don Smith was born and raised in Shelton, Nebraska. He graduated from Shelton High School on May 26, 1956 at 17 years old.

He entered basic training on June 12, 1952 at Parks Air Force Base in California. After training in Organizational Supply, Unit Supply and Weapons Supply, Airman Smith was stationed at Ashiya Air Force Base in Japan for two years. 

In 1958, Don came back to Lincoln Air Force Base before transferring to Greece in 1962 and then Hill Air Force Base in Utah where he worked in Aircraft Supply and completed his tour of duty in 1965. 

While in the Air Force, Airman Smith received the Good Conduct, Longevity, Efficiency, Honor and Fidelity Medals. He was also awarded the Supply Man of the Month. 

Don and his wife live in Hastings and have four children. He served on the Hastings City Council from 1984-1988 and was a member of the Community Redevelopment Authority where he served as Chairman.

As a member of the Hastings Optimist Club, Don served one term as President. He is a member of St. Cecile’s Catholic Church.

 

Beau Jacque Huffman entered the United States Navy on December 29, 1997. He went to the recruiting station with his grandfather, Jacque Norman and his uncle Mac. His pap Jacque joined the Army during WWII and served in the Western Pacific. His uncle, served in the Marines and flew F-4 Phantoms. His brother John, served in the U.S. Air Force and Brother Nels served in the Nebraska National Guard.

Beau graduated boot camp at the Great Lakes and was sent to Pensacola, Florida for A-School training in Avionics, Mechanic and Egress, plus receiving Ordinance Certification. After graduation, Beau was sent to join Training Squadron VFA - 125, temporary duty before joining his permanent assignment at VFA - 151 in Lemoore Naval Air Station, California. During A.M.E. training, he learned about ejection seats and the environmental control systems for the F/A 18 Hornet.

Huffman was deployed in 1999 and 2001 to West Pac sea duty on aboard the aircraft carrier CV 64, USS Constellation. The carrier spent three months in the Persian Gulf enforcing no fly zones.

Beau honorably discharged out of the Navy on December 29, 2001. 

In May of 2004, Beau married Brook Harman. They have three children at home. He currently owns and operates 1 Great Nutrition on South Burlington Ave.