College of the Ozarks will present its annual, free, patriotic play, October through November, on select dates. Back by popular demand, the play is “Breaking the Silence: Stories of Vietnam Veterans,” which tells the stories of five heroes, all who have connections to the College.
This true story chronicles the lives of five Veterans: Army Nurse Lou Eisenbrandt; Army Colonel Tony Nadal; 1st Marine Colonel Bill Duncan, otherwise known as Texas Pete; Colonel Donald “Doc” Ballard, Navy corpsman with the 4th Marines and Medal of Honor recipient; and Sergeant John Ligato, Marine platoon leader. Each of these individuals have traveled with C of O through the Patriotic Education Travel Program.
The showing of a patriotic play is a fall tradition at College of the Ozarks. Performances take place in the Royal Oak Forum, located in The Keeter Center, and are free and open to the public. Tickets are not required; seating is first-come, first-served.
All performances are open to bus tour groups. Duration of the play is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Groups of 10 or more, call 417-690-2120 to book lunch and reserve seats for the play.
Play synopsis
When the Vietnam soldiers returned home, they were not met with parades, explosions of confetti, striking up of bands, cheers of joy, honoring ceremonies … nothing. “Breaking the Silence” is a play that tells these true stories with the hope that younger generations will recognize the sacrifices of their grandparents, the heartbreaking way American soldiers were treated as they returned home from Vietnam, and the disillusionment of anti-American philosophy which has pervaded our country.
“Out of the darkness of political misguidance from Washington surrounding the Vietnam War are the stories of the men and women who admirably served, shining like the setting sun,” said Mark Young, M.F.A., professor of theatre and playwright.
The play is based on the book “Vietnam 101,” by Dr. Jerry C. Davis, retired chancellor of College of the Ozarks, and adapted for the stage by Young.
Play Dates — Performances will take place at 2 p.m. in The Keeter Center’s Royal Oak Forum. The play’s duration is approximately one hour and 15 minutes.
Show dates for performances:
October 15, 24, 26, 29, 31
November 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12
About College of the Ozarks
College of the Ozarks is a private, Christian, liberal arts college, located in Point Lookout, Missouri, on a 1,000-acre campus. Christian values, hard work, and financial responsibility comprise the fundamental building blocks of the “Hard Work U.” experience. The College earns numerous accolades yearly, including No. 1 Most Innovative School in the Midwest, No. 1 Best Value Regional College in the Midwest, and No. 1 Top Performer on Social Mobility in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for 2022-23. College of the Ozarks also earned No. 1 Best Christian Colleges and Universities by College Consensus for 2022 and No. 3 Best Bang for the Buck by Washington Monthly for 2022. To achieve its vision, the College pursues academic, vocational, Christian, patriotic, and cultural goals. These goals are mirrored in School of the Ozarks, a laboratory school that completes the K-college model.
The Keeter Center — the College’s award-winning lodge, restaurant, and conference facility — consistently earns TripAdvisor®Traveler’s Choice Awards. It features historic lodging, fine dining, and meeting rooms. With more than 350 student workers, it is the largest workstation on campus.
Follow College of the Ozarks at www.facebook.com/collegeoftheozarks or on Twitter @CofOHardWorkU.
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