Then Jesus told [Thomas], “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” – John 20:29
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INSIDE: • Around Town.... 12A • Churches.......... 11A • Classifieds......... 10B • Education........... 8A • Food.................. 8B • Fun & Games.... 12B • Pets for Adoption �� 3A • Obituaries........ 10A • Weather........... 10A
PLUS:
Branson family’s journey with rare disease – SEE PAGE 3A
April 25, 2025 • Volume 6, Issue #16
Sarver receives recognition Submitted to Branson Globe Branson resident Robert ‘Bob’ Sarver was recently recognized during a ceremony at the Capitol in Jefferson City. Sarver served in the U.S. Army from Dec. 1966-November 1972 and is a Vietnam Veteran. The 156th District State Representative Brian Seitz, Republican Conference Chaplain, opened the annual veterans’ event with prayer, and spoke of Sarver. “Bob not only provided selfless service to his nation in the military, but is the most accomplished veteran in the area, following service. He served as Vice-President of the Vietnam Veterans of America and later President. He acted as the Veterans Day Parade director from 2019 to 2022,” Seitz said. The Certificate of Recognition and award ceremony was also attended by Lt. Governor Wasinger and the Speaker of the House Jon Patterson, amongst other
dignitaries. Robert C. Sarver’s military biography • Drafted into the United States Army, December 6, 1966 • Assigned to Co A 3rd Battalion, 1st Training Brigade for Basic Training at Fort Polk, LA • Assigned to Co C 5th Battalion, 3rd training Brigade for AIT 11B10, Fort Polk, LA. Transferred to Co D 2nd Battalion 3rd Training Brigade for Logistics training, Fort Polk, LA • Assigned to 563rd CS Co. Heavy Material Supply, Cam Rahn Bay, South Vietnam, 7 October 1967 • Transfer assignment to HHC 504th Field Depot, Cam Rahn Bay, South Vietnam, 12 October 1967 • Responsible for the proper procurement of supplies to the 4th Infantry Division and 101st Airborne, in Pleiku, South Vietnam • I returned home to the States on August 29, 1968. Assigned to the Army Re-
Rep. Brian Seitz and Robert Sarver (Photo by House photographer, Tim Bommel) serves (Inactive) Specialist Fourth Class E-4 • Discharged from the
Army on November 30, 1972 Awards received:
• Nation Defense Service Medal SEE SARVER, PAGE 6A
MOU permits city to perform certain Homeland Security duties
Picture postcards from the past – SEE PAGE 1B.
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BY GARY J. GROMAN, Independent Journalist At its regular board meeting on April 22, 2025, the city of Branson entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Branson Police Department (BPD). The agreement allows “a Branson Police Department Officer to perform certain HSI duties.” The staff report points out that “HSI is tasked with investigating and tracking human
trafficking and internet crimes throughout the United States and its interests throughout the world. This agreement will enable a Branson Police Officer to be deputized as a Homeland Security Investigations Officer, providing them with federal jurisdiction, additional training and resources. Branson PD will maintain final decision-making ability for the officer’s participation in federal operations and deployments. “There will be no financial impact on the City of Branson, as this agreement
allows HSI to reimburse BPD for any overtime funds expended during any federal case involvement. This agreement will also benefit Branson by expanding the officer’s ability to investigate crimes that expand past our jurisdictional boundaries.” Branson Police Chief Eric Schmitt said that under the MOU, he would designate one Branson detective as a Task Force Officer operating under the authority of Homeland Security. He estimates the officer would spend about 20% of their
time performing duties under the MOU, for which the city would receive reimbursement from HIS. He says the duties the Task Force Officer will perform under the MOU relate to investigating and tracking human trafficking and other federal crimes under the authority of HIS, but do not include the authority to enforce administrative violations of immigration law. The MOU states that the BPD and HIS enter it agreeing that effective enforcement of the laws relating to HSI
jurisdiction requires close cooperation and coordination between them and cites the authority for the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate persons as Customs Officers (Excepted) (COE). The MOU provides that the COE under the MOU is “authorized to enforce the full range of federal offenses. However, in designating Customs Officers (Excepted), HSI is not conveying the authority to enforce administrative violations of immigration law.” Under the MOU, HIS SEE SECURITY, PAGE 4A
Local Catholics share thoughts on the passing of Pope Francis BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, passed away on Easter Monday, at the age of 88. Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, became the 266th pope on March 13, 2013, at age 76. He was the oldest pope to be elected since Clement XII in 1730, and the first pope who came from the Americas. He was
the first pope to take on the name Francis, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, who was known for his commitment to the poor and to the environment. Pope Francis became known as an advocate for social justice, economic equality and environmental fairness. During his papal reign, Pope Francis worked to improve relations between the
Catholic Church and other religions. He was known for going against religious norms to make everyone feel included in the church. The underlying theme in his service to the Catholic Church was one of mercy. Pope Francis was seen by some as progressive and others as too liberal for his stances on gay rights, same sex marriages, immigration and
other controversial issues. Whether or not Catholics agreed with Pope Francis’ stand on every subject, they all mourn the loss of their world-wide leader. “His whole life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and the Church,” said Deacon Dan Vaughn, Pastoral Associate and Parish Administrator at Our Lady of the Ozarks
Catholic Church, Forsyth. “His gestures, his words, his actions were good reminders to live out the gospels— embracing the sick, visiting prisoners, preaching the sanctity of all human life. ‘There is no human life that is more sacred than another and no human life qualitatively more significant than another.’ And, also, his faSEE POPE FRANCIS, PAGE 10A
The Beck Museums of Branson Welcome You to...
SPRING!