Smithville VFW Post 1309 held their annual Veteran’s Day services Wednesday. Speakers included 423rd district judge Christopher Duggan, county commissioner Clara Beckett and post commander Rusty Kubena.

Bastrop resident and Marine Corps veteran Jesse Longoria attended the ceremony with his wife Tina and their daughter Lia. Longoria served in Iraq and is a veteran of action in Ramadi, once a terrorist infested western city. Longoria received a Purple Heart for his actions.

Longtime resident Johnnie Faldyn was also in attendance. The World War II veteran spent 15 months in Stalag II B after being captured by the German army. Faldyn received two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star.

Matt Swartz, from the Smithville High School Band, played taps to close the Veteran’s Day ceremony. Swartz played while dozens of soldiers saluted the stars-and-stripes, which was set at half-staff in tribute to local fallen Marine Cody Stanley and the casualties at Fort Hood.