Veterans take the stage

By Mindy Honey
Society Editor
Originally published Nov. 4, 2009

Mini-reunions, a visit from Ret. Lt. Col. Oliver North and a parade are among a long list of activities planned to honor veterans during Branson’s week-long tribute to veterans.

A Veterans Homecoming is the largest gathering of veterans in the nation, according to Lynn Berry, director of public relations for the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.

“We just try to set this week aside and honor our veterans in a way no other city does,” said Arlen Lipper, retired Army Master Sgt. and director of operations for the Branson Veterans Task Force. “It has been a tradition since 1994.”

He estimates 100,000 veterans will gather this week in Branson for the annual celebration, which kicks off Thursday.

New activities this year include four mini-reunions.

A WWII veterans mini-reunion will be held from 2-5 p.m. Friday at the Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks, just south of Branson off U.S. 65.

A Persian Gulf War veterans mini-reunion will be held from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday at the Tri-Lakes Center on Missouri 248 in Branson. Veterans of Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, Afghanistan and Kosovo are invited to attend.

A Vietnam veterans mini-reunion will be held from 2-5 p.m. Monday at Charlie’s Steak, Ribs & Ale Restaurant.

A women veterans mini-reunion will be held Monday at the Starlite Theatre. A reception will run from 6-7:30 p.m. with a show by the Rankin Brothers to follow at 8 a.m.

The Korean War Veterans Association will also hold a mini-reunion once again this year. The reunion will be held from 9 a.m.-noon Tuesday at the Stone Castle Hotel and Conference Center.

“The mini-reunions are a way to honor the veterans of that war,” Lipper said. “It is time to honor them and meet the veterans from that era.”

North will also play a large role in this year’s activities, as well as draw national attention to what Branson does each year for veterans.

“Fox and Friends,” a morning show on the Fox television network, will include live cut-ins with North from Silver Dollar City on Tuesday morning and live cut-ins Wednesday from the Tri-Lakes Center, Berry said.

On Tuesday morning, North will be signing his book, “American Heroes,” from 10 a.m.-noon at Bass Pro Shops at Branson Landing.

Tuesday evening, North will serve as the keynote speaker for the U.S. 234th Marine Corps Birthday Ball at the Branson Convention Center. On Veterans Day, North will host a breakfast at the Tri-Lakes Center during which guests may meet North and have North’s book signed.

This will be North’s second year to visit Branson during veterans week.

At 11 a.m. Veterans Day, the 76th annual Veterans Day Parade will take place through downtown Branson.

“It is really a packed week for veterans,” Lipper said.

He said veterans will be coming in from all over the U.S.

“This is a very important week for a lot of them,” Lipper said. “This week will start a week of healing process for a lot of veterans. This will be the first time many will be thanked for their service.”