May is designated as Military Appreciation Month in many parts of the U.S., including Branson. Many area residents as well as seasonal visitors to Branson, the lakes area, and surrounding communities are veterans who appreciate the area’s welcoming atmosphere to those who serve our country.
Many businesses give discounts to veterans and active military year-round, but there are special events going on during May, including more substantial discounts at some locations and a Tribute to Valor Aviation Expo on Saturday, May 18. View the list of businesses offering specials, and find more information about the Expo, at the Explore Branson website [https://www.explorebranson.com/may-is-military-appreciation-month-branson].
As Memorial Day approaches and summer gets into full swing, much is also going on behind the scenes to prepare for Veterans Homecoming Week, November 5–11 and a highlight of the year. Things will actually kick off on Monday, November 4, with the Veterans Show at the Clay Cooper Theater. Starting Tuesday, November 5, the Veterans Village at Ballparks of America will be open, featuring free lunch for veterans daily, a day room, vendor room and veterans’ services room. The opening ceremony for the week will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Patriots Park on the College of the Ozarks campus.
Activities continuing throughout the week include reunions for different eras and branches of service, tributes to spouses and to women veterans, more special shows, Sunday worship and the POW/MIA Service of Remembrance scheduled for 8 a.m. on Friday, November 8. Also, mark your calendar now for the 28th Annual Military Gala and Banquet, at 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 10, at the Chateau on the Lake. And of course, on Veterans Day, November 11, plan to be downtown well before 11 a.m. for one of the nation’s best parades.
Many veterans return to Veterans Week every year, and volunteers with the Branson Veterans Task Force, the P.O.W. Network, and other groups are hard at work preparing to make these things happen. You can help with the cost of the various events by donating anytime, as well as attending the POW Network Pizza Ranch Fundraiser on Thursday evening of Veterans Week, November 7.
Find more information, a complete schedule, and ticket information at www.pownetwork.org under the “Branson” tab, or at www.veteransshow.com.
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