John Michalek, who served in the Air Force from 1988 to 1994, emphasized the significance of reconnecting with old friends and comrades at the event. He said, "To me, it's about meeting people I grew up with and served alongside... It's been good to see people. I haven't seen two of them for over 30 years.”

“You get to talk about experiences that you had when you were serving and then basically just meeting people. You know, that's the greatest part,” added Del Bresson, who served in the military from 1968 to 1972. “A lot of us that served in the Vietnam era weren't celebrated or anything when we came back and this was kind of a way of receiving appreciation for it.”

On Saturday, there was a guided fishing outing that gave everyone a chance to relax and spend some time on the water at Sherman Reservoir. The morning was full of fun and great catches thanks to the 18 dedicated volunteers who provided boats and acted as fishing guides. Del Bresson and George McFadden both brought in a catch that measured 28.5 inches, tying them for the title of biggest fish.

"We had a great time. You know, this is something we can just give back to these veterans who've sacrificed so much for this country– just seeing the smiles on their faces, and the fun that they had catching the fish,” said Darin Verba, a first-time volunteer fishing guide eager to contribute to the event.

Veteran Bob Harpst, who served in the Army and National Guard from 1979 to 2010, commended the event and the dedication of the volunteers and community members involved. He praised the exceptional camaraderie and the substantial effort put into organizing the event, stating, "Without the volunteers, an event like this would not be possible. It almost brings tears to my eyes to witness the hard work they put in. It's awesome, and it's apparent that people in the Loup City, Sherman County area are totally dedicated to the values of America and to the people that protect those values."

In the evening, a banquet and ceremony were held, highlighting the achievements and sacrifices of the honored servicemen and women. Each participant was acknowledged and presented with challenge coins, symbolizing thanks for their dedication and service.

Steve Dolan, a member of the National Guard from 1987 to 1994, described the overwhelming feeling of honor he experienced. He shared, "It's touching, very heartwarming, and healing. Healing, I think, was the word Bob Harpst used. It's hard to put into words, but I'll never forget it."

Throughout the event, raffle prizes were awarded to both nominees and volunteers, while two $5,000 scholarships were presented. Brandon Placzek, from Loup City, who will be attending Central Community College - Hastings, and Kellsey Harrold, from Broken Bow, who will be attending Northeast Community College in Norfolk, were the recipients. These scholarships serve as a testament of the organization's commitment to supporting trade schools.

The Servicemen of the Heartland Outdoors event has become a cherished tradition, fueling its growth and impact over the last five years. Marc Krueger, President of the organization, expressed gratitude for the unwavering support and involvement of sponsors, volunteers, and the local community. He emphasized the significance of appreciating the sacrifices made by veterans and first responders, urging others to recognize and nominate deserving individuals for future events (nominations are taken each year through www.servicemenheartlandoutdoors.com). 

Krueger shared, "I want people to leave realizing that these individuals sacrificed so much for us to enjoy our daily lives in the United States. And I want our participants, whether they are veterans or first responders, to recognize that they have not been forgotten and that people truly appreciate them."