"Hand in Hand Branson Honors Purple Heart Recipients," a special event honoring those who have received the Purple Heart for wounds received while serving our country.
Honoring veterans, active duty military and their families is nothing new for Branson, Missouri, known worldwide for its passionate support of them and their efforts. In 2009 that proud and grateful heritage embraced a new event, “Hand in Hand Branson Honors Purple Recipients” (Hand in Hand), designed to honor and remember the sacrifices of those who have received the Purple Heart for combat wounds received while serving our nation.
The two day event was so well received by those it was designed to serve that earlier this year at the “Ozark Mountain Spring Kick Off Event,” Marlyce Stockinger, Director of Advertising and Public Relations for Branson.Com, the sponsor of Hand in Hand, announced that it was going to be expanded to three days for 2010 and would be held April 22 through 24. At a press conference held on April 1, Stockinger explained that the event would incorporate many of last year’s activities while adding exciting new activities designed to entertain and honor the Purple Heart Recipients and their families.
Hand in Hand will start on April 22 with Registration between 8:00 a.m. and Noon at the Factory Merchants Mall off of W. Highway 76. Stockinger said although pre-registrations is available on line through Branson.Com all that Purple Heart Recipients need to do is show up and register on April 22. She pointed out that the Registration area is also a hospitality area where Purple Heart Recipients and other Veterans can meet and fellowship.
The opening ceremony will take place from 2:00- 4:30 p.m. at the Hamner Barber Theatre and will include entertainment and a Question and Answer Panel Discussion on “How to Obtain Your Benefits.” The panel will be composed of experts from the Military Order of the Purple Heart represented by National Commander Jim Sims, Senior Vice Commander Clayton Jones and the Department of Missouri. Those attending may submit specific questions for the panel to answer. Stockinger also said that some panel members would be available to answer questions on a one to one basis after the formal discussion.
Mike Webb and Jim Thompson checking out one of the boats that will be used in the tournament.
Mike Webb with K.A.S.T (Kids Are Special Too) and a member of the Central Pro-Am Association (CPAA) overviewed the Fishing Tournament that will be held on April 23. The tournament will be held on Table Rock Lake out of the State Park Marina. The “Take Off” will be at 8:00 a.m. with the “Weigh In” at 11:00 a.m. He explained that 40 Purple Heart Recipients, chosen at random from those who have registered for Hand in Hand and indicated a desire to fish in the tournament, will be paired with a fisherman who will furnish the expertise, boat and all the tackle. The “Weigh In” will be an official CPAA Weigh In complete with the CPAA Weigh In Trailer and prizes. Jim Thompson, the owner of CPAA encourages all the members of the public to attend the “Weigh In” saying, “It is a special way to honor our Purple Heart Recipients and you just have to see it to believe it. Tell everyone you know to come because it’s well worth their while to attend.”
Thompson, the coordinator for the Fish Fry, said it would be held on the soccer field of the Branson Hills RecPlex under big tents starting at 5:30 p.m. on April 23. The meal will be prepared under the auspices of Nolan and Babette Fogel, the operators of a number of restaurants around Branson including the “Fall Creek Steak and Catfish House” and “The Plantation.” Thompson pointed out that the fish fry is open to everyone, not just Purple Heart Recipients and encourages everyone to come out to honor the Purple Heart Recipients. As is the case with all the activities for Hand in Hand, thanks to the generosity of its sponsor, there will be no charge to Purple Heart Recipients, but there will be a minimal $10.00 charge for all others.
Simultaneously with the Fishing Tournament there will be a special event for the spouses. From 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. there will be a Dress Barn VIP Shopping Extravaganza for women with hors d’oeuvres, tea, coffee and a 15% discount on all purchases.
During the afternoon of April 23 there will be an Entertainment Show at the Hamner Barber Theatre from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Although Stockinger did not mention the names of any of the specific entertainers that will be appearing she said that she was overwhelmed by the response of the Branson entertainers who volunteered to participate in the show and has a list of those who volunteered to be in the show, but she couldn’t get in. “How assume is it,” she said, “that without even being asked, Branson’s entertainers voluntarily stepped up to the plate because of their love for the Veterans and their desire to pay them respect.”
On Saturday, April 24 the Purple Heart Recipients and their families are invited to the “Missouri Wine and Food Festival” at Chateau on the Lake, as the festival’s guests, starting at 10:00 a.m. At 11:00 a.m. there is going to be a special ceremony at the festival for the Purple Heart Recipients.
Taney County Sheriff Jimmy Russell is coordinating the “Hillbilly Posse Motorcycle Run” to honor the Purple Heart recipients. He said there is no charge to participate in the run and that it is open to all motorcycle riders, veterans and nonveterans, who want to participate and honor the Purple Heart Recipients. The run will start at the Wal-Mart Parking Lot in Ozark with registration at 2:00 p.m. and the departure for Branson at 4:00 p.m. and will take place rain or shine. Russell anticipates that the “Missouri Patriot Guard” will be leading the “Posse” as it proceeds to Branson via U.S. Highway 65 where it will exit on State Highway 76 and proceed straight down Main Street to Branson Landing where it will converge on the Branson Landing Fountains via the Branson Landing Promenade arriving at about 4:45 p.m.
Russell said it will be a fantastic event to participate in and witness. Stockinger encourages the public to help honor the Purple Heart Recipients by lining the Branson U.S. Highway 65 overpasses and the Posse’s route from the 76 intersection down to the Branson Landing Fountains as well as attending Hand in Hand’s inspiring “Purple Majesty Twilight Ceremony,” honoring the Purple Heart Recipients, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the fountains. In addition, she urges the public to honor the Purple Heart Recipients by participating in as many events as they can and points out that there is a complete schedule of events and other information on Hand in Hand available on line through Branson.Com or the Branson Tourism Center.
Branson.Com, Hand in Hand’s sponsor, is a subsidiary of the Branson Tourism Center co owned by Larry and Lianne Milton. Larry said, “The city of Branson honors Veterans all year long. It is our treat and honor, even if only in a small way, to be able to honor the Purple Heart Recipients for the sacrifices they have made on behalf of our country.”
