This one-of-a-kind community, well known as one of America’s favorite family vacation destinations, delights nearly 7 million annual visitors with the area’s live entertainment, stunning natural beauty resplendent with pristine lakes and rolling hills, numerous attractions, outdoor activities, festivals and world-class events.
But lesser known is that every year, Branson opens its arms to welcome thousands and thousands of America’s Veterans. The red carpet is rolled out to active duty, retired and reservist members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, US Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, Merchant Marines and their families.
This weekend, April 22-24, 2010, my dear friends at www.Branson.com are producing the Second Annual ‘Hand in Hand: Branson Honors Purple Heart Recipients', an event to recognize and commemorate those men and women whom have earned the Purple Heart for receiving wounds during combat.
The weekend includes fun events such as a live music showcase with celebrities and other favorite Branson entertainers, a fishing tournament with professional anglers leading Purple Heart Recipients, a follow-up Fish Fry (with all of the trimmings-YUM!), a specially designed shopping excursion, an emotionally charged parade in the downtown Branson Landing area, a Motorcycle Run and a unique tribute honoring Purple Heart recipients during the “Missouri Wine and Food Festival” at the five-star hotel, Chateau on the Lake.
As fun as these events are , there is also an important opportunity for Recipients and their families to speak with a panel of experts from Military Order of the Purple Heart, represented by National Commander Jim Sims, and others. Topics will include 'How to Obtain Your Benefits.' Specific questions and concerns will also be addressed.
You should know that Branson sponsors many events for Veterans annually, including over 500 military reunions. What makes Branson stand out is that it does not glorify or politicize war, it reaches out to the faces touched by war and military service.
For Hand in Hand Branson Honors Purple Heart Recipients event details visit The Veterans Galleria at www.Veterans.Branson.com.
As full disclosure, when I was diagnosed, I was working as the Creative Director for Branson.com and its sister companies. They have been incredibly supportive during my difficult struggle with Multiple Myeloma. Branson.com owners Larry and Lianne Milton, the Purple Heart event producer Marlyce Stockinger and the entire company’s staff and employees are amazing people. They support cancer events such as Relay for Life, host blood mobile drives and contribute time and money to worthy charitable causes of all kinds. They have been very blessed as a company and have never been shy about giving back.
We MMers know battles, we know sacrifice and courage, and boy, do we know about shedding blood. But I've never had a bullet or a rocket fired at me. Some of you have- thanks for your service! Friends, if you find yourself in Branson this week, I urge you to go to the Purple Heart event. But if you can’t be there, would you consider taking a moment to remember those whom gave so much of themselves in the call of duty. I pray that someday the only wars we have to wage are against monsters like cancer. Until then...Stay well! Keep fighting! Sean
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