The traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall will be on display at the Welk Resort & Theatre from November 4 to 11 during Branson Veterans Homecoming Week in 2005. The outdoor half-size replica display of the famous Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC will be open to the public daily from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.

This year’s Traveling Wall Opening Ceremony will be at 10:30 am on Friday, November 4. Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, The Lennon Sisters, Darren Romeo, Andrea Brett and representatives of the Branson Veterans Task Force will participate in the event. The 30-minute ceremony will include a military color guard, remarks by national representatives of two Vietnam Veterans associations and a wreath laying ceremony by Vietnam Veterans.

On Sunday, November 6, a special POW/MIA Tribute and Remembrance service at the Traveling Wall is scheduled for 8:00 am. Veterans Appreciation Shows are scheduled for Sunday, November 6 at the 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm performances of Siegfried & Roy Present Darren Romeo, The voice of Magic. Veterans, Active Duty Military, National Guard & Reserve members will receive complimentary admission to these two performances of the show named Branson’s “Best Show” in 2004 & 2005 by BransonCritic.

For information on the Traveling Wall, special ceremonies, Darren Romeo Veterans Appreciation Shows, special ceremonies & displays please call 417-337-7469.

2005 marks the 8th year for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Display at Branson’s Welk Resort. The official half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial spans nearly 240 feet in length and lists the names of more than 58,000 of our nation’s fallen heroes during the Vietnam conflict.

Unique military memorabilia is on display at the Stage Door Restaurant, just off the lobby of the Welk Resort Theatre, is also open to the public for viewing during Veterans Homecoming.

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The non-profit organization which honors the nation’s veterans every day is being honored by 16 Branson entertainers in what is being billed as March Military Madness on Monday, March 21, at the Musical Palace (#1 Hits of the 60’s), 2353 W. Hwy. 248 in Branson at 7 p.m.

The benefit show for the Branson Veterans Task Force (BVTF) is a cooperative effort between Steve Weyher from Branson’s Golden Corral who serves as BVTF’s community liaison and the Women Veterans’ Welcoming Committee. In addition to a vast amount of talent, a vast amount of door prizes will be part of the evening’s entertainment.

“We have come together to invite the public to a fund-raiser for the Branson Veterans Task Force, a not-for-profit organization that is known for its years of dedication to veterans’ causes in and around Branson. The BVTF is especially known for creating and hosting Branson Veterans Homecoming Week during the month of November. Begun in 1995, the event has become the nation’s largest veterans’ celebration. Last year approximately 100,000 veterans and their families came to Branson during the week leading up to Veterans Day on Nov. 11,” said Mary Slivka, chairman of the Women Veterans’ Welcoming Committee.

Among the entertainment scheduled to perform are members of American Kids Inc., the nation’s only little league of entertainers, Bob Anderson, Circle B Chuckwagon and Cowboy Music Show, Doug Gabriel, From Patsy to Present, John Tweed, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Lennon Brothers & Gail Lennon, #1 Hits of the 60’s, Ronnie Prophet, The Braschlers Music Show, Tony Roi of The Elvis Experience and Two Fluffy Ladies. Jim Owen, Dalena Ditto and Les Brown Jr. are serving as masters of ceremony.

Door prizes include a color television, a child’s bicycle, tickets to a Kansas City Chief’s game, Silver Dollar City passes, Celebration City passes, White Water passes, restaurant gift certificates, a free overnight stay in Branson and more, according to Weyher.

Slivka said she is proud of the entertainment line-up which puts Branson’s entertainment community’s “best foot forward” and will include a military salute to veterans. She encourages every to “come say thank you to the Branson Veterans Task Force.”

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Operation Homecoming USA has named an Advisory Council for the planning and execution of “Welcome Home… America’s Tribute To Vietnam Veterans.” The weeklong event to be held this June has the specific mission of providing Vietnam Veterans the national homecoming they never received.

General Richard B. Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is serving as Liaison to the Advisory Council of Operation Homecoming USA for the Department of Defense. An Air Force command pilot with more than 4,100 flying hours, Gen. Myers is past Commander in Chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Space Command. He became Chairman of the Joint Chiefs in 2001. The individual members of the Advisory Council include:

H. Ross Perot, Navy veteran, founder of Electronic Data Systems, noted philanthropist and activist for veterans’ causes. Mr. Perot sits on the Board of Directors of Operation Homecoming USA.

James H. Amos, Jr., Marine Corps veteran of two combat tours in Vietnam, Chairman Emeritus of MBE-UPS Stores, and a national leader in the franchising industry. Amos also serves as Chairman of the Board for Operation Homecoming USA.

Gerard Arpey, Chairman, President and CEO of AMR, leads a global organization that includes American Airlines, the largest airline in the world, serving more than 250 cities in 41 countries and territories.

Brigadier General Robert F. McDermott, USAF, Retired, a World War II combat pilot now recognized as the “Father of Modern Military Education,” is Chairman Emeritus, USAA. He grew the company assets from $206 million to $31 billion during his service at USAA.

Rear Admiral Patrick D. Moneymaker, USN Retired. A decorated Navy Top Gun flier who logged a career total of over 3,000 flight hours, Admiral Moneymaker is former commander of the Blue Angels and served as Commander of Naval Space Command since 1997.

General Hugh Shelton, US Army, Retired. A former Commander of MacDill Air Force Base and Commander-in-Chief of United States Special Operations, General Shelton also served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Kenneth D. Walker, President and CEO of Meineke Car Care Centers. His leadership has made Meineke one of America’s most successful franchise corporations.

Welcome Home…America’s Tribute To Vietnam Veterans will be held June 13-19, 2005 in Branson, Missouri. The weeklong celebration will include demonstrations and displays, golf and fishing tournaments, the Dignity Memorial® Vietnam Wall Experience, a Homecoming Parade honoring Vietnam Veterans, and an outdoor Grand Finale Celebration which will include more than 15 aircraft from the Vietnam era.

Confirmed performers for the Saturday Grand Finale Celebration include the Beach Boys, the Fifth Dimension, Creedance Clearwater Revisited, the Doobie Brothers, the Supremes with Mary Wilson, the Four Tops, and the Oak Ridge Boys. Tony Orlando, Les Brown’s Band of Renown with Les Brown, Jr., Ann-Margret, Adrian Cronauer (the original “Good Morning Vietnam!” DJ), and many other celebrities will be making special guest appearances as well as noted Branson entertainers. The Grand Finale Celebration will be held on a scenic 100-acre mountaintop at Saddlebrooke, 10 miles north of Branson on Highway 65.

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