“Thousands of Veterans and active duty U. S. Military personnel and their families will be honored in Branson during Branson Veterans Home Coming Week, November 5 through the 11,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “Here is a list of some of the events, many of them free, compiled by the Branson Veterans Task Force and Branson Lakes Area CVB,” she added.

The list is sorted by starting date and is subject to change:

Veterans Day Room (Friday, Nov. 5 – Wednesday, Nov. 10)
Location: Factory Merchants Branson
Hours: 9 AM – 6 PM
Phone: 417-335-4041
Admission: Free Admission

Traveling Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Wall (Friday, Nov. 5 – Monday, Nov 15)
Location: Welk Resort Branson
Hours: 8 AM – 8 PM
Admission: Free Admission

Lost Heroes Art Quilt (Friday, Nov. 5 – Monday, Nov. 15)
Location: Welk Resort Branson
Hours: 8 AM – 8 PM
Admission: Free Admission

WWII Aviation Art Prints on Display (Friday, Nov. 5 – Monday, Nov. 15)
Location: Dick’s Old Time 5 & 10 (Historic Downtown Branson)
Hours: 8:30 AM – 9 PM Mon. – Sat. 9 AM – 9 PM Sun.
Admission: Free Admission
Over 85 WWII aviation art prints permanently on display.  Most prints are signed by pilot(s) and crew who were on the mission that the print depicts.

Opening Ceremony (Friday, November 5)
Location: Sight & Sound Theatres
Hours: 12 PM – 2 PM
Admission: Free Admission

Showboat Branson Belle “Special Salute to Veterans” (Friday, Nov. 5)
Location: Showboat Branson Belle
Hours: 8 PM (Boarding begins at 7 PM)
Admission: $44 Per Person (all inclusive rate includes cruise, meal, show, tax and gratuity)
Web: http://www.showboatbransonbelle.com
Branson’s only Entertainment Dining Cruise! Two hour cruise on beautiful Table Rock Lake with Showstopping Production Show, fabulous 3-course meal plus, that evening, a special salute to Veterans!

Reveille and Retreat (Saturday, Nov. 6 – Wednesday, Nov. 10)
Location: Factory Merchants Branson
Hours: Daily 7 AM Reveille and 4 PM Retreat
Admission: Free Admission

Veterans Village and BVTF Tactical Operations Center (Saturday, Nov. 6 – Thursday, Nov. 11)
Location: Factory Merchants Branson
Hours: 9 AM – 4 PM
Phone: 417-337-8387
Admission: Free Admission

Veterans Registry (Saturday, Nov. 6 – Thursday, Nov. 11)
Location: Factory Merchants Branson
Hours: 9 AM – 4 PM
Phone: 417-337-8387
Admission: Free Admission

Persian Gulf War Mini Reunion (Saturday, Nov. 6)
Location: Golden Corral
Hours: 9 AM – 12 PM
Admission: Free Continental Breakfast and Entertainment
This event is for those who served during Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Coordinated by Branson Veterans Events & Reunions, and hosted by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 913, Branson, MO.

WWII Veterans Mini Reunion (Saturday, Nov. 6)
Location: College of the Ozarks
Hours: 3 PM – 5 PM
Phone: 417-337-8387
Admission: Free Admission

Veteran’s Shoot (Sunday, Nov. 7)
Location: Ozark Shooters Sports Complex (759 US Hwy 65, North of Branson)
Hours: 10 AM – 12 PM
Sporting Clays, Trap and Wobble Trap. Lunch will be available.

Video Presentation by Lt. Col. Bill Groninger, SR-71 Blackbird Pilot (Sunday, Nov. 7)
Location: Branson Shenanigans RV Park Clubhouse (3675 Keeter Street)
Hours: 7 PM
Admission: Free Admission
The Blackbird was the Air Force’s fastest, highest flying manned spy plane ever flown.  Featured on the Discovery Channel.

Women Veterans Mini Reunion Reception (Monday, Nov.8)
Location: Branson Mall Meeting & Event Center
Hours: 5 PM – 7 PM

Women Veterans Mini Reunion Show (Monday, Nov.8)
Location: Mickey Gilley Theater
Hours: 8 PM
Admission: Free Admission for Veterans

14th Annual Military Gala & Banquet (Monday, Nov.8)
Location: Chateau on the Lake Resort
Hours: 5 PM
Phone: 866-481-GALA (4252) for Reservations (Required)
Admission: $51 per person
Tickets include the salute to National Guard and Reserve forces, POW/MIA candlelight service, dinner and outdoor fireworks display.  Cash bar cocktails begin at 5 p.m. with salute beginning at 6 p.m. and fireworks just before 8 p.m.  Master of Ceremonies is Erwin Schultze, National Service Officer for the Disabled American Veterans.  TOPS IN BLUE, the US Air Force’s premier musical group performs following the fireworks display.

Tops in Blue Performance (Monday, Nov.8)
Location: Chateau on the Lake Resort
Hours: 8 PM
Admission: Free Admission
United States Air Force Tops in Blue perform following the gala and banquet.  Doors open to the public for the FREE performance at 8 p.m.  Reservations are not required for the performance.  Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Korean War Veterans Mini Reunion (Tuesday, Nov. 9)
Location: Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center
Hours: 9 AM – 12 PM
Phone: 417-365-1389
Admission: Free Admission

Women Veterans Rose Petal Ceremony (Tuesday, Nov. 9)
Location: Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks
Hours: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Admission: Free Admission

William G. (Jerry) Boykin, Lt. Gen. (ret.) U.S. Army to Sign Books (Tuesday, Nov. 9)
Location: Bass Pro Shops in Springfield
Hours: 11 AM – 1 PM
Admission: Free Admission

William G. (Jerry) Boykin, Lt. Gen. (ret.) U.S. Army to Sign Books (Tuesday, Nov. 9)
Location: Bass Pro Shops in Branson
Hours: 4 PM – 6 PM
Admission: Free Admission

Penny Gilley Show featuring Jeff Brandt (Tuesday, Nov. 9)
Location: The Mansion Theatre
Hours: 3 PM
Admission: Free Admission for Veterans (Reservations Recommended)

POW/MIA Service (Wednesday, Nov. 10)
Location: Welk Resort Branson at the Vietnam Memorial Wall
Hours: 8 AM
Admission: Free Admission
Service will be held outdoors.  Sponsored by the Welk Resort Branson.  Music by the LeCroy Sisters, wreath laying, guest speakers.

Vietnam Veterans Mini Reunion (Wednesday, Nov. 10)
Location: Charlie’s Steak, Ribs & Ale
Hours: 2 PM – 5 PM
Admission: Free Admission

235th Marine Corps Birthday Ball (Wednesday, Nov. 10)
Location: Branson Convention Center
Hours: 5 PM – 11 PM
Phone: 866-279-3415 for Reservations
Admission: $60 Per Person (Seating is limited)
Web: http://www.branson.com or http://www.veteransgalleria.com
Open to all Marines and the general public.  The celebration includes social hour with cash bar, the traditional U.S. Marine Corps Birthday Ceremony and cake cutting, an elegant dinner and dancing until 2400 hours (Midnight) with a surprise or two along the way. The Key Note Speaker is Col. Jim Sims (ret), National Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, former Aide to the White House Chief of Staff, former Secretary of the General Staff of the Marine Corps Headquarters.  For more information call 417-334-2360.

76th Annual Veteran’s Day Parade (Thursday, Nov. 11)
Location: Historic Downtown Branson
Hours: 11 AM
Phone: 417-337-8387
Admission: Free Admission

Tony Orlando’s Yellow Ribbon Salute (Thursday, Nov. 11)
Location: Welk Resort Branson
Hours: 2 PM
Phone: 800-505-9355
Admission: Free Admission For Veterans and (1) Guest (Reservations Recommended)

Closing Ceremony (Thursday, Nov. 11)
Location: Tri-Lakes Center
Hours: 2:30 PM
Admission: Free Admission

Johnson suggests calling the Branson Veterans Task Force at 417-337-8387 for the latest information on these and other events associated with Branson Veterans Homecoming Week. Additionally, she offers the assistance of the company she works with, the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services, in answering questions regarding Branson Veterans Week activities, the U.S. Marine Corps Ball or Ozark Mountain Christmas. BTC would also be pleased to assist with information or tickets for any of Branson’s other shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements. BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550, at their offices conveniently located at 220 Branson Hills Parkway in Branson, or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.