Homecoming for heroes - Branson

Beginning Monday, thousands of veterans, active duty-personnel and their families are expected to be in the Tri-Lakes Area as Branson celebrates Veterans Homecoming, what is considered by organizers to be the largest veterans celebration in the nation.
The homecoming, which runs annually from Nov. 5-11, includes reunions, luncheons, free shows, a gala, the Marine Corps Birthday Ball, big band dancing and the 79th Annual Veterans Day Parade.


Homecoming for heroes - Branson Tri-Lakes News News Free - Homecoming for heroes: News Free:

Ozark Blue Star Mothers

"The Ozark Mountain chapter of the Blue Star Mothers of America will meet Monday, January 11th at 6:00 P M at the Golden Corral Restaurant in Branson. We are mothers(wives, sisters, aunts etc.) who have, or have had, children honorably serving in the military. We are a non-profit (501[c]3) service organization supporting each other and our children while promoting patriotism. The Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., is a non-partisan, non-political organization. We do not support any political candidate, nor do we endorse any religious organization. The military represents all aspects of America as does our organization. Our organization not only provides support for active duty service personnel but also promotes patriotism, assists Veterans organizations, and are available to assist in homeland volunteer efforts to help our country remain strong. We meet the second Monday of each month at the Golden Corral Restaurant in Branson and are open to ladies in Arkansas as well as Missouri. For further information contact our chapter President, Fran Davis, at JDs Fran@aol.com. Submitted by Kathy Lane-Herman, chapter secretary, lakehome@omahaweb.net., 870-426-4186."


News-Leader.com Springfield Community Calendar Springfield News-Leader:

Memorial Day Revisited, a Fitting Return

Memorial Day Revisited, a Fitting Return by Mary K. Morgan Java Journal Online: "No soldier who sacrificed his life for his country should be forgotten, nor should relics of that service be abandoned by those he served. That’s just why the public was so outraged last year when the news broke that members of the Rollo-Calcaterra American Legion Post, Number 15 discovered a displaced set of WW I bronze memorial discs that that had been relegated to a forgotten storage space in the Soldier’s Memorial building. Originally, the cast bronze tributes to St. Louis soldiers who had lost their lives in WW I proudly lined the median of Kingshighway between Penrose Place and what was then named Easton Avenue. When the street was reconfigured in the 1980s, the monuments were never replaced.

...The Gold Star Mothers originally commissioned the casting of the markers and had them placed in the Kingshighway median as a memorial to their fallen sons. During WW I, all mothers of soldiers displayed “Service” flags with blue stars in the windows of their homes, one for each son in service to his country. Many wore enameled blue star lapel pins. And when one of the mothers lost a son in the war, the blue star was replaced with a gold star, as a symbol of their loss. "

Vets’ week filling up fast

"By Tonyi Crandell
BDN Staff Writer
tcrandell@bransondailynews.com
Veterans and active-duty military personnel will get the opportunity to see and meet Lt. Col Oliver North this November.

North, one of this nation’s most popular veterans, will highlight Branson’s annual Veterans Homecoming events."

Veterans can look forward to several days of special events such as a World
War II encampment, Showboat Branson Belle Show and Dinner, an opening ceremony,
a Rose Petal ceremony to honor women veterans, a Gold Star, Blue Star Mothers
and Gold Star Wives Luncheon, Korean War Veterans Association reunion, and the
United States 233rd Marine Corps birthday party.
Branson Daily News :: News :: Vets’ week filling up fast:

From small seeds...

MISSOURI VALLEY TIMES - NEWS - From small seeds...: "Members of the Loess Hills Garden Club, based in Missouri Valley, have made a donation to the restoration of the Blue Star Memorial Highway marker that will be placed at the I-29 rest area north of Missouri Valley, soon. The circa-1953 marker was originally set along old Highway 75 to commemorate the Blue Star mothers' sons serving in World War II. (Following World War II, the National Council of State Garden Clubs designated certain national roads - including U.S. 75 - as 'Blue Star Memorial Highway,' as a living memorial to 'all those who have served or will serve in the nation's armed forces,' through planting aisles of flowering trees and shrubs.) The marker was commissioned by the Federated Garden Clubs of America, Iowa chapter, and the restoration is being undertaken by veterans of the Eugene Gallop Post No. 9731, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Missouri Valley."

Branson Veterans Homecoming

News-Leader.com Local News: "Schedule for Branson's veterans celebration
Branson's 14th annual Veterans Homecoming Week kicked off Monday with an opening ceremony at the Mansion Entertainment and Media Center and a ribbon cutting at the new Veterans Welcome Center. The week-long event, billed as the largest Veterans Day celebration in the nation, features a host of activities for veterans and their families through Sunday. New this year is the Veterans Welcome Center, located at Missouri 165 and Green Mountain Drive. Sponsored by the Department of Missouri Veterans of Foreign Wars, the center will serve free lunch to veterans ($1 for family members) throughout the week from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by two hours of free entertainment.

Wednesday

Gold Star and Blue Star Mothers and Gold Star Wives Luncheon at the All American Cafe, 10:30 a.m. Complimentary brunch for Gold and Blue Star Mothers and Gold Star Wives. Call 337-8387 for more information.