PATRIOT OF THE MONTH CERTIFICATES AWARDED

At their November 2022 meeting, the Ozark Spring, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) honored two local veterans with October Patriots of the Month Certificates for their service to the nation. 

Devin Hibbitts

Patriot of the Month Recipient Lieutenant Commander Devin Hibbitts enlisted in the United States Navy in 1989 out of high school as a Cryptologic Technician Operator. After graduation from basic training, he was assigned to the Naval Technical Training Center in Pensacola, Florida. His military career spanned 28 years of service in numerous locations stateside and overseas. 

Mr. Hibbitts recalls one of the more enjoyable moments in his military career was when he was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska in the 1990’s. There, he was assigned to the Naval Security Group Detachment One and Detachment Seven as a special operator conducting field deployments in support of the USSTRATCOM and Naval Information Warfare Activity. 

During his tours, he received extensive firearms training at the Smith & Wesson Academy and Anchorage Police Department SWAT Unit, where he earned the designations of both Range Master and Combat Firearms Instructor. His service there included, Heavy Equipment Operator / Trainer and Vehicle Control Officer, where he managed the Blanket Purchase Agreements for both Detachments.

Although initially not interested in a college pathway following high school graduation, Mr. Hibbitts eventually participated in the Enlisted Commissioning Program and attended the Naval Science Institute in Rhode Island. These military programs inspired him to pursue his higher education and he went on to attend North Carolina State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Extension and Education, Magna cum laude.

Mr. Hibbitts has numerous personal military awards for his years in service. A few include the Air Medal (1Strike / Flight Award), five Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medals, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal, Joint Service Achievement medal, as well as various other unit and service awards.

Devin is married to Missy Franks Hibbitts, and his hobbies are classic cars and trucks and his fondness for playing a rodeo clown. 

Lidia Collins

Patriot of the Month Recipient, United States Army, First Lieutenant Lidia Collins enlisted in the Army Reserves, 68 Whiskey as a medic. Her duty stations included Fort Jackson in South Carolina, Fort Lee in Virginia, Fort Hood in Texas, and Camp Hovey in South Korea. 

photo provided

Lidia Collin’s military service included roles as a Branched Ordinance Officer, Squadron Maintenance Officer, Maintenance Control Officer, Main Platoon Leader, and Squadron Logistics Officer. She recalls her most interesting job was during her time deployed to South Korea where she was part of the First Response Brigade and ran defense drills with tanks in mountainous terrain. 

During her service, Ms. Collins achieved the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korea Defense Service Medal, the Overseas Defense Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon. She shared the best advice she can give others is, “You do not know all there is to know in order to be an effective leader. You have to build relationships with subordinates and non-commissioned officers.”

Collins separated from the Army in January of 2021 as a First Lieutenant. In her civilian career, she is an Agriculture Marketing Specialist for the United States Department of Agriculture. She graduated West Plains Hight School in 2012 and from the University of Missouri, Columbia in 2016. Lidia is the daughter of Mark B. and Ruby Collins of West Plains, Missouri and has three siblings, Carrie, Casey, and Wade. Ms. Collins is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and recently along with her family celebrated the birth of her first child, Caroline Jayne.