Branson's Veterans Homecoming Week, America's largest Veterans Day Celebration, starts November 5 | The Branson Blog by Branson Tourism Center

This sculpture in front of the Branson Veteran's Museum reminds visitors to Branson of America's Veterans as they travel up and down the Branson Strip.

BRANSON, Mo. “‘Branson’s Veterans Homecoming Week,’ Americas largest ‘Veterans Day celebration,’ starting on November 5 and running through November 11 is a special and exciting time for us in Branson,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center “It gives us a special dedicated opportunity to honor Veterans, active duty Armed Forces personnel and their families that goes beyond the way they are honored routinely in Branson on a daily basis.

A schedule of events for “Branson’s Veterans Homecoming Week” follows below and is current as of October 28:

November 4, 2011

10:00 a.m. (1000) “Traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall” ceremony at the Welk Theater.

November 5, 2011

7:00 a.m. (0700) Reveille at Factory Merchants Branson by the Dress Barn.

8:00 a.m. – 6 p.m. (0800 – 1800) Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall at the Welk Resort.

9:00 a.m. (0900) Veterans Registry, Tactical Operations Center and Veterans Village at Factory Merchants Branson, 1000 Pat Nash Drive Branson, MO. Please support our vendors. Closes at 1600 except Nov. 10 when it closes at 1500.

9:00 a.m. (0900) Day Room opens at Factory Merchants Branson. Don’t forget your acoustic instruments for jamming, visiting and games. Closes at 1800.

9:00 a.m. – 3 p.m. (0900 – 1500) “General Tommy Franks Traveling Road Show and Classroom, in a 60 foot long trailer, at the Branson Mall, 2206 W. Hwy76.

12:00 p.m. (1200) 571st Air Force Band Concert at Factory Merchants Branson along with A Tribute to Bob Hope and the USO

2:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. (1400 – 1615) “Patriotic Welcome to Veterans Homecoming” at the Branson Star Theatre, 3750 W. Hwy 76 behind the Olive Garden Restaurant. Guest Speaker Todd Baker, author of the book “Bagdad ER, Fifteen Minutes”, performances by local entertainers and more. Open seating.

5:00 p.m. (1700) Retreat at Factory Merchants Branson by the Dress Barn.

5:30 p.m. (1730) 2nd Annual Branson West Veterans Parade and Flag Lighting Ceremony: 5:30 pm in Branson West

7:00 – 8:00 p.m. (1900 – 2000 hrs.) Candlelight Memorial Service for Lost Submarines will be held at the Lower Fountain at Branson Landing, Branson, MO.

7:00 p.m. (1900) The Showboat Branson Belle Salutes the Veterans with a special show and dinner for a special rate.

November 6, 2011

7:00 a.m. (0700) Reveille at Factory Merchants Branson by the Dress Barn.

8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (0800 – 1800) Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall at the Welk Resort.

9:00 a.m. (0900) Veterans Registry, Tactical Operations Center and Veterans Village at Factory Merchants Branson, 1000 Pat Nash Drive Branson, MO. Please support our vendors. Closes at 1600

9:00 a.m. (0900) Day Room opens at Factory Merchants Branson. Don’t forget your acoustic instruments for jamming, visiting and games. Closes at 1800.

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (0900 – 1200) Veterans Sporting Clays Shoot at Ozark Shooters Sports Complex, 759 US Highway 65, North of Branson. For more information call: 417-230-2278. This shoot is for veterans only.

9:00 a.m. – 3 p.m. (0900- 1500) “General Tommy Franks Traveling Road Show and Classroom, in a 60 foot long trailer, at the Branson Mall, 2206 W. Hwy76.

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (1130 – 1300) “FREE” lunch to veterans and current serving military served at Factory Merchants Branson and a $4.00 donation for all others. Sponsored by Steve’s Tree House and Grill.

1:00 p.m. (1300) 22nd Annual Branson Motorcycle Toy Run sponsored by the VFW Post 5168 of Forsyth. Donations will benefit Taney County families. Meeting at Area 57, Dick Clark Theater, Hwy. 76, Branson with the “parade of motorcycles going to the VFW Post 5168 of Forsyth” being led by Santa. Dinner and music will be provided compliments of the VFW. For more information contact the VFW @ 417-546-5869 or 417–334-0775.

5:00 p.m. (1700) Retreat at Factory Merchants Branson by the Dress Barn.

November 7, 2011

7:00 a.m. (0700) Reveille at Factory Merchants Branson by the Dress Barn.

8:00 a.m. – 6 p.m. (0800 – 1800) Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall at the Welk Resort.

9:00 a.m. (0900) Veterans Registry, Tactical Operations Center and Veterans Village at Factory Merchants Branson, 1000 Pat Nash Drive, Branson, MO. Please support our vendors. Closes at 1600

9:00 a.m. (0900) Day Room opens at Factory Merchants Branson. Don’t forget your acoustic instruments for jamming, visiting and games. Closes at 1800.

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ( 0900 – 1200) Persian Gulf War Veterans Mini Reunion at Golden Corral on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway for those who served during Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo. FREE breakfast will be provided in the Allen Edwards Show Room, speakers, entertainment, and drawing for door prizes. Hosted by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 913, Branson, MO. Please RSVP by calling 417-230-2278 or email: [email protected].

9:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. (0900 – 1700) Army Special Forces “A” Team from Ft. Campbell KY: 9am-5pm, Factory Merchants Branson.

5:00 p.m. (1700) Retreat at Factory Merchants Branson by the Dress Barn.

November 8, 2011

7:00 a.m. (0700) Reveille at Factory Merchants Branson by the Dress Barn.

8:00 a.m. (0800) POW/MIA Service of Remembrance, Welk Resort Theatre.

8:00 a.m. – 6 p.m. (0800 – 1800) Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall at the Welk Resort.

9:00 a.m. (0900) Veterans Registry, Tactical Operations Center and Veterans Village at Factory Merchants Branson, 1000 Pat Nash Drive, Branson, MO. Please support our vendors. Closes at 1600

9:00 a.m. (0900) Day Room opens at Factory Merchants Branson. Don’t forget your acoustic instruments for jamming, visiting and games. Closes at 1800.

9:00 a.m. (0900) Ozark Mountain Blue Star Mothers are hosting a Gold Star Mother and Blue Star Mother brunch at Steve’s Treehouse located at Stonebridge Village. Any Gold Star Mother (mother who has lost her child in service to America) or Blue Star Mother (mother of a living veteran or current military soldier) is invited to attend. If you are planning to attend or have questions, please call Fran at 417-272-0630 or email: [email protected].

12:00 p.m. (1200) United States Air Force Band of Mid-America Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble Concert, Factory Merchants Branson.

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 pm (1400 -1700) Korean War Veterans Association Mini-Reunion, will be held at the Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center 3050 Green Mountain Drive. This is for those who served during the Korean War. Speakers, entertainment, drawing for door prizes and refreshments. For more information call 417-230-2278 or email: [email protected].

5:00 p.m. (1700) Retreat at Factory Merchants Branson by the Dress Barn.

November 9, 2011

7:00 a.m. (0700) Reveille at Factory Merchants Branson by the Dress Barn.

8:00 a.m. – 6 p.m. (0800 – 1800) Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall at the Welk Resort.

8:00 a.m. (0800) FREE pancake breakfast for all Veterans/active duty personnel and their families at Tri-Lakes Christian Church 116 Pathway, behind Branson Jr. High School off Bee Creek Road.

9:00 a.m. (0900) Veterans Registry, Tactical Operations Center and Veterans Village at Factory Merchants Branson, 1000 Pat Nash Drive Branson, MO. Please support our vendors. Closes at 1600

9:00 a.m. (0900) Day Room opens at Factory Merchants Branson. Don’t forget your acoustic instruments for jamming, visiting and games. Closes at 1800.

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (1100 – 1300) Women Veterans Rose Petal memorial and Women Veterans Appreciation Lunch, to honor women veterans who have died for their country will be held at the Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center in the Drawbridge Room. Special guest speakers are Vickie Jones, Major Retired Army and Amy Bennett. Cost: $20.00 and reservations are required. Please call Barb Riggle 417-337-8387.

4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (1000 – 2200) “4th Infantry Division Special Hospitality Room at Savannah House, 165 Expressway Lane. Hosted by 4th Infantry Division Association for more information. Call 920-684-0147 or email: [email protected].

5:00 p.m. (1700) Retreat at Factory Merchants Branson by the Dress Barn.

5:00 p.m. (1730) 15th Annual Military Gala & Banquet, Saluting Strategic Air Command, will take place during Veterans Homecoming at Chateau on the Lake. Call 866-481-GALA (4252) for more information.

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (1700 – 2000) “Women Veterans Mini Reunion” at Golden Corral on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway in the Allen Edwards Show room. FREE Dinner and show for women veterans and spouse or a friend. Speakers, entertainment, and drawing for door prizes. Please RSVP by calling 417-230-2278 or email:[email protected].

November 10, 2011

7:00 a.m. (0700) Reveille at Factory Merchants Branson by the Dress Barn.

8:00 a.m. – 6 p.m. (0800 – 1800) Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall at the Welk Resort.

9:00 a.m. (0900) Veterans Registry, Tactical Operations Center and Veterans Village at Factory Merchants Branson, 1000 Pat Nash Drive, Branson, MO. Please support our vendors. Closes at 1600

10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (1000-1300) Wal-Mart Tribute to Veterans. The Wal-Mart Super Center at 1101 Branson Hills Parkway in association with Branson Veterans Events and Reunions will pay tribute to Veterans. A ceremony, entertainment, refreshments and BBQ will be provided for the veterans. All veterans in attendance will receive a lapel pin. For more information call 417-230-2278 or email: [email protected].

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (1400 – 1700) Vietnam Veterans Mini Reunion will be held at Camden Hotel and Conference Center, 275 Tanger Blvd, Branson. Sponsored by Gatherings Plus, for more information call 417-338-4048.

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (1400 – 1700) WWII Mini Reunion will be held at the Keeter Center on the campus of the College of the Ozarks.

5:00 p.m. (1700) Retreat at Factory Merchants Branson by the Dress Barn.

5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. (1700 – 2300) The Few, The Proud, The United States 236th Marine Corps Birthday Ball Open to all U.S Marines, Veterans and the general public. For more information call 800-569-3493.

November11, 2011

11:00 a.m. (1100) 78th annual Veterans Day Parade is sponsored by the American Legion Post 220 and goes through downtown Branson. For parade information contact the American Legion Post 220 at 417-334-2296.

2:00 p.m. (1400) Tony Orlando’s Yellow Ribbon salute will be held at the Welk Resort Branson. Free Admission for Veterans and one (1) Guest. (Reservations Recommended) 800-505-9355.

Branson Tourism Center’s Johnson points out that Veterans Homecoming will take place during Ozark Mountain Christmas and all the special shows, drive through lighting displays and other activities associated with it which runs from November 1 through December 31. For further information on Branson’s Veterans Homecoming Week, Ozark Mountain Christmas or additional information or tickets for any of Branson’s shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements, please feel free to contact the Branson Tourism Center by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 for free personal assistance or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

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