Spring 2012 - Vol. 11, No. 1
‘Remembrance Days’ on tap in May By Mindy Honey of the Branson Tri-Lakes News
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ranson will once again pause this May to celebrate those who are currently serving in the U.S. military. In 2011, Branson hosted a two-day inaugural Armed Forces Day Celebration. The event included a golf tournament, special salute to the Armed Forces show aboard the Showboat Branson Belle, a free pancake breakfast, meet-and-greets and a show. “Because last year’s two-day event was such a success, this year we are expanding it,” said June Tillis, of the Branson Veterans Task Force. The four-day event, called Armed Forces Remembrance Days, will be held May 17-20. “The key is to again honor our
military,” Tillis said. “There are some people who can’t make it in November. If we can offer events this time of year, they can get a taste of what we offer in the fall. But, this is a little bit different event.” She said while the four-day event celebrates those who are currently serving, it is chance to honor everyone who has served our country. Tillis said events are for “anybody who served in the military, past or present or loves someone who served or want to show their support.” An opening show is set for 4 p.m. aboard the Showboat Branson Belle. The dinner cruise, which begins boarding at 3:15, will once again include a special salute to the Armed
Forces. For tickets, call 800-4177770 and ask for a special Armed Forces rate. On May 18, a golf tournament will be held at Thousand Hills Golf Resort in Branson. Registration begins at 7 a.m. with the tournament getting under way at 8. For more information, call 417-337-8387. A new event this year will be held on Saturday. At 10 a.m. a parade will march down Shepherd of the Hills Expressway. The tag line for the event, Tillis said, is “A century of remembering the Armed Forces.” “I’m really excited about adding a parade to our event this year,” Tillis said. REMEMBRANCE — cont. on 21
BRANSON ...THE SHOW WILL GO ON! We’ve all been touched by the many calls and emails since a tornado struck Branson in the early hours of Feb. 29. The Branson recovery and rebuilding efforts have progressed rapidly, with many of the affected businesses now open or scheduled to reopen in the coming days. The strip and other area roads are entirely open to traffic, and visitors are traveling to and from attractions, shows and restaurants with very little to no periods of restricted access due to clean up and repairs. Branson is open for business and the great majority of retailers and restaurants in Branson are ready and eager to welcome customers. As our community recovers from this storm, we appreciate more than ever those men and women who have served our country and who plan to come to stay and play in the Live Music Show Capital of the World!
Veterans Homecoming November 5-11 explorebranson.com/veterans
Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 1897 Branson, MO 65615