Veterans seek healing

Roy Lee, of Shreveport, La., places a candle into a cross Sunday night during a candlelight military memorial service as Skyline Baptist Church.
Mindy Honey | Branson Tri-Lakes News

By Mindy Honey
Society Editor
Originally published Nov. 10, 2009

Jerry Goldsborough and his wife, Carolyn, of Amory, Miss., have been visiting Branson for the past four years for what they call a healing process.

The Goldsboroughs both served in the Vietnam War, Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom and in 2005, they came to Branson to attend “Welcome Home,” a tribute to Vietnam veterans.

“That kind of gave us a start to a healing process,” said Jerry Goldsborough, who attended a candlelight military memorial service Sunday night at Skyline Baptist Church in Branson. “It continues to be a healing process. We come into a community that understands.

“Branson has been so good to welcome us. It is one of the few places we can feel comfortable.”

He said every chance they get, they come back to Branson.

“It is like a homecoming. That is why we come,” his wife said.

For Carolyn Goldsborough, it is not just a chance to connect with other veterans, but with other women veterans.

She said for the first 10 years of her 25-year career with the U.S. Army, her father didn’t tell anyone she was in the Army because he felt it wasn’t a respectable career for women.

Many women veterans still do not feel worthy of respect and often keep the fact that they are a veteran to themselves, she said.

“You come here and you can totally be yourself and be a veteran,” she said.

Retired Maj. Vic Christianson and his wife, Diane, of Napoleon, also came to Branson for A Veterans Homecoming activities.

“I think it is nice to have a place that honors veterans,” Diane Christianson said.

The Christiansons were among several hundred who attended a military gala and banquet at Chateau on the Lake Resort and Spa. The celebration included fireworks, a prisoners of war and missing in action candlelight service, as well as a veterans’ salute. The gala saluted Cold War veterans and celebrated the P.O.W. Networks’s 20th anniversary in service.

Steve Weyher, a Branson Veterans Task Force board member, said events held the first four days of Branson’s week-long celebration have had a slightly higher attendance than last year.

But, the focus is on the quality of experience veterans have in Branson, not the quantity of people the events can draw, he said.

“It is a genuine thanksgiving and appreciation of service for their country,” Weyher said. “That goes a long way.”

Today’s events include a Special Forces A-Team demonstration at College of the Ozarks’ Keeter Center, which runs from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

A Korean War Veterans Association mini-reunion will be held from 9 a.m.-noon at the Stone Castle Hotel and Conference Center.

At 10:30 a.m., a rose petal ceremony to honor women veterans who have died in service will be held at the Keeter Center. Call 417-339-6823.

From 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., a free lunch for veterans and serving military will be offered at the Cobblestone Inn.

At 2 p.m., a free outdoor concert will be held at Factory Merchants Branson and starting at 5 p.m., the U.S. 234th Marine Corps Birthday Ball will be held at Branson Convention Center. Lt. Col. Oliver North will serve as keynote speaker. Call 800-268-3643.

On Veterans Day, activities include a breakfast with North at Tri-Lakes Center from 8-10 a.m.

From 9-10:30 a.m., the USAF Band of Mid-America will perform at Branson Landing Town Square prior to the Veterans Day parade.

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

At 1 p.m., closing ceremonies will be held at Starlite Theatre. For reservations, call 417-337-9333.

At 2 p.m., Tony Orlando will once again present his Yellow Ribbon Salute to Veterans show at the Welk Theatre.