Branson Quest

Archive November

November 2, 2005

Traveling Wall Display, Special Ceremonies & Veterans Shows Set At Branson’s Welk Resort
 

November 1, 2005

2005 Veterans Homecoming
 

More than one dozen free, new events

at 2005 Veterans Homecoming

Americana tribute theme of 12th annual week-long celebration


More than one dozen free and one dozen new events are part of the nation’s largest Veterans Day celebration Nov. 5 – 11 in Branson, Mo. Sponsored by the Branson Veterans Task Force, the 12th annual Veterans Homecoming theme is "Americana Tribute to All Veterans."

New events include a rose petal ceremony honoring women who lost their lives in service to their country, a candlelight military memorial service, presentations by the National Flag Foundation, a luncheon honoring youth military groups and a breakfast honoring Gold Star and Blue Star Mothers. Lunch for veterans, opening and closing ceremonies, veterans’ rights and benefits workshops and the Big Show are just a few of the free items on the schedule of events. Traditional events such as the 71st annual Veterans Day Parade, a Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA) Mini-Reunion and the Marine Corp Ball are also on the calendar. The 10th anniversary of the Branson Veterans Task Force is being celebrated with a special Armed Forces Ball. The majority of theaters and attractions offer free and/or special discounts to veterans, their families and active military during this special week.

New this year is the Branson Veterans Task Force Tactical Operations Center (TOC), Veterans Registry and Vendor Village located at Celebration City Convention Hall that opens Nov. 7. Monday through Friday an all-American lunch will be served daily 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. free to veterans and active military personnel, courtesy of Golden Corral and the Branson Veterans Task Force. Branson celebrities will be on stage during lunchtime to entertain.


Beginning at 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday several free presentations are planned. The first half-hour various authors, artists and songwriters will present their military-themed work on stage. The National Flag Foundation at 3 p.m. and the Veterans History Project at 3:30 p.m. will host various presentations on stage. The Veterans History Project is sponsored by the Branson Veterans Task Force, as a partner with the Library of Congress American Folklife Center. The personal stories of veterans of all branches and all eras are videotaped free of charge for future generations. To participate go to the Vendor Village History Project booth at Tactical Operation Center at Celebration City. While there is no cost to veterans to record the story, extra copies are available at a nominal fee.

Vendor Village booths are open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Among the vendors are those offering a wide variety of military memorabilia, photography, health scans and other related health items, arts and crafts such as mahogany model aircraft, the National Flag Foundation and tourism-related booths.

Registering at the Veterans Registry has always been free. The Veterans Registry is planned for two locations this year, at the BVTF TOC and at Grand Country Square. Hours at TOC are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Hours at Grand Country Square are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday through Friday. Buddy searches among the 50,000 plus database and registrations are free.

Daily events include the Veterans Patch Wall at Grand Country Square where hundreds of patches collected from all services hold special meaning for each branch, division and unit represented. Viewing this collection in progress is free and patch donations are welcome.

Also new is And Rightfully So, a free, daily workshop about veterans rights/benefits conducted at Culpepper Place of Branson, 5351 Gretna Rd. Advance reservations are required. Call 800-335-8566. Use reservation #211. A reservation confirmation will be made by return phone call.

At Mike Radford’s Hall of Heroes inside the Radisson Hotel, lower level, viewing the display honoring servicemen and servicewomen of every era is also free as is the coffee served to veterans in the Veterans Café. The Hall of Heroes, a stirring tribute, includes donated military memorabilia, uniforms and thousands of photographs from families across America. An additional Hall of Heroes is located inside the IMAX Entertainment Complex.

The Vietnam Traveling Wall, the official, half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the most visited memorial in Washington, DC, is open free for viewing daily at the Welk Resort (Nov. 5-11 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.) As is customary, the list of names will be read aloud continuously throughout the seven-day period. On Nov. 4 at 10:30 a.m., the dedication and memorial service at the Wall is also free.

The week officially begins with Opening Ceremonies at Mansion America Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 10 a.m. Free opening ceremonies tickets may be picked up anytime during regular box office hours at Mansion America. Also that day the Freedom Flight Hot Air Balloon will be on display beginning at 6:30 a.m. throughout the day, weather permitting, at Mansion America. Freedom Flight seeks to honor and increase the awareness of POW/MIA issues and is committed to promoting awareness and honoring those who were/are held captive as a prisoner of war in a foreign country/or missing in action. A special veterans tribute to the Salvation Army is being presented by Tatiana at 7:30 p.m. at the Moe Bandy Theatre. The show brings special attention to the Donut Dollies of the Salvation Army during World War I. Proceeds go to Branson’s Salvation Army.

Sunday, Nov. 6, at 10 a.m. a church service will honor veterans at the Hamner Barber Theatre. Also at the Hamner Barber Theatre at 8 p.m. the Braschler Music Show Salute to Veterans is free to veterans and active duty military.

Monday, Nov. 7, is the day set aside to honor women who have served in the military. The Rose Petal Ceremony, where a representative from each of the five branches of service will speak, will be held at 11 a.m. at the fountain in front of Mansion America Theatre. John Tweed and 14 Karat Country are part of the program. A noon luncheon will follow at Majestic Steak House. Special guest is the coordinator of the Women Veterans Outreach Program for the Department of Veterans Linda S. Piquet. The Rose Petal Ceremony is free. A fee of $25 for tickets and registration to the luncheon is required.

Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m. is the BVTF Homecoming Big Show at the Musical Palace on Hwy. 248. The show is free to veterans and features #1 Hits of the 60s.


Two new events are being held on Wednesday, Nov. 9, in addition to one traditional event, the KWVA Mini-Reunion. The reunion begins at 9 a.m. and is hosted by the State of Missouri KWVA and the Harry S. Truman Chapter KWVA. At noon the Honor and Integrity Luncheon honoring youth military groups is hosted by the VFW Post 5168 in Forsyth, Mo. Beginning at 7 p.m. the Candlelight Military Memorial Service will be conducted at Skyline Baptist Church in Branson.

On Thursday, Nov. 10, another new event is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., the Gold Star and Blue Star Mother's (grandmother’s and wives, also) Breakfast at Golden Corral. At 10 a.m. the KWVA Benefit Show for the Harry S. Truman Chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association will be held at the Dutton Family Theatre. At 5:30 p.m. the Marine Corp Ball, hosted by American Legion Tablerock Post 637 in Kimberling City, will honor the Ladies Auxiliary and the Marine Corp's birthday. At 6 p.m. the American Presidential Museum USO Dinner, Dance and Party begins.

Veterans Day, Friday Nov. 11, brings the tradition of the parade and closing ceremonies plus a new event recognizing the BVTF’s decade of service. At 11 a.m. the 71st Annual Veterans Day Parade sponsored by American Legion is held in downtown Branson. At 5 p.m. official Closing Ceremonies begin at the Follies Theatre. The show is free and tickets must be picked up by noon on Nov. 11 at the Follies Theatre. At 6:30 p.m. the very last event of the week is the Armed Forces Veterans Ball celebrating the BVTF’s 10th anniversary at Chateau on the Lake.

As with every occasion as large as this one, many new events are added and changes do occur. Please consult the BVTF website at bransonveterans.com for the latest updates.

Veterans Homecoming is the largest, but just one of many community service projects sponsored by Branson Veterans Task Force and its partners. The task force works to promote an environment of patriotic pride and dignity to recognize and honor the nation's veterans and their families. For more information contact: Branson Veterans Task Force Inc., 138 Pointe Royale Drive Suite 0 (Helms Building), Branson, MO 65615 or call 417-337-VETS.




 
 

DH

Posted @ 8:12 pm

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Highlands NC