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The Hastings Historical Society and private donors researched local veterans form both Korea and Vietnam Wars and commissioned the memorials that include the names of 90 from the Vietnam era and 55 from Korean War.
"We wanted to do this for the families more than for ourselves," said Hastings Vietnam War veteran Peter Muraik, who led the project to place Vietnam and Korean War memorials at the VFW Post 200 site. "The memorials fit -- one either side of the World War monument."
The two new stone memorials have the names of the local heroes engraved on their reflecting faces with room for others who made be added later.
More than 250 residents, family and friends joined surviving veterans of both wars.
"I was in the service beginning in 1960," said John Kasselbaum. "It is fitting that these memorials are here even at this late date."
U.S. Navy veteran Tony Brandys traveled from his home in Chicago to assist Muraik, a comrade in arms with the 18th Military Police during the Vietnam War.
"I was honored to be here," Brandys said. "We weren't welcomed back with much respect back then after Vietnam and we had sort of a chip on our shoulders. But we have always stayed proud and like a brotherhood. It is good to see so many people out to honor the veterans."
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