Travel Destination
advantage of the shopping! She made the trips a fun and exciting learning experience. Showing us the house we had lived in and where I had gone to school. Going to the commissary and the NCO club where her and my Dad had spent evenings with their friends. By the time I was 7 I had lived in Texas, Illinois, Newfoundland, and Missouri. To this day I have very fond memories of life on the Air Force Base. For mom, going to Branson was a nice and welcome break from the realities of learning to live without him. For me it was sun, fun, and excitement. I remember the go-carts, shows and larger than life Silver Dollar City. In high school I went to Branson on our senior trip and had the same fun on an even grander scale. Years went by and Branson was a thing of fond memories until 15 years ago when my husband and I decided that, with our parents aging and Branson once again being a 5 hour trip from our current home that it would be a great meeting place
spent more time there than we did! They were dubbed “The Grannies” and went to many shows and events in Branson. Always feeling right at home and always connecting to the other friendly people that call Branson their home away from home. I can remember one of my children asking their granny one day, “Granny, why do all of the grandpa’s in Branson have on those colorful hats?” My Mom replied “Those are hats that represent which branch of the military they served in. If your grandpa were here today he would be wearing the United States Air Force one and it would be blue.”
Every time I see a veteran in Branson (which is every time I go anywhere in the town) I think of how proud my mom was of my dad even 40 years after losing him. My Mom loved Branson every bit as much as she loved her home town and almost as much as she loved the American fl ag which is fl own in more places in Branson than almost
was devoted to family, friends and memories- a life served, lived and enjoyed in the heartland. I know from experience why these veterans feel the connection to the nostalgia of Branson and it has to do with the “heartland atmosphere”. Branson is a place that off ers the acceptance and acknowledgment of a wisdom that comes with age. It is a place that lavishes respect on these veterans and their families who have given so very much of their lives. Most would agree that Branson’s start as Veteran Capitol of the Heartland began with an invitation by Bob Hope to Tony Orlando to sing Tie a Yellow Ribbon for 581 returning Vietnam POW’s at the 1973 Cotton Bowl. Orlando who already had a show in Branson said “Bob Hope asked me to carry the torch for veterans. Branson was a natural – the seeds were already planted. This town salutes veterans every day. I saw a vision that on Veteran’s Day, they would come to this town
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for everyone. My husband’s parents live in Wichita, KS which is also 5 hours from Branson. We bought a small cabin and our families started spending vacations there 2 or 3 times a year. Our fi rst cabin was very small and cozy. My mother had never remarried after losing my dad and she spent many beautiful times with us there- memories we will cherish for a lifetime. It was a wonderful 1200 sq ft log cabin at The Woods Resort with amenities for the kids and served our purpose perfectly. But with 2 grandparents on occasion, and one grandparent almost always, a few friends and 4 kids we were busting at the seams. This was supposed to be relaxing not hectic! In the year 2000 we decided to start looking for a lot that had a view of Table Rock Lake but still close to Branson. Our new lake house was fi nished in 2003 and Mom was there to help us move in. She began bringing 5 of her friends with her on regular trips to Branson and
anywhere in the world. My mom would comment on every fl ag she saw, “Oh look! Isn’t that a beautiful fl ag!” or “There is just nothing as beautiful as the American fl ag.” In late 2006 my Mom’s best friend, sister, and one of “The Grannies”- my aunt Dorothy passed away. 6 months later in March of 2007 I lost my Mom. It felt like the end of a generation and nowhere more apparent than at the Branson lake house where we enjoyed their company. There is something about Branson that lends itself to the entertainment of the past. Playing cards, working a puzzle, reading a book in the peacefulness of the Ozark Mountains, are regular activities at our lake house. We go to our lake house many times a year- as much as our busy lives will allow. The memories build stronger and deeper year after year. Our lake house is fi lled with pictures and memories of the last years of a war widow’s life. Her life
and everything would be theirs.” Veteran’s Day has now some 35 years later grown to be an all year long celebration with Branson becoming the mecca of veterandom and with nearly the whole town chipping in to honor veterans and their service to our country. When you visit Branson, look for the fl ags. They are the sign of a proud American and look for the hats. The hats that are worn by the greatest American heroes! I encourage you to visit Branson.
People of all ages can fi nd entertainment and experiences that they can enjoy. If you happen to see a veteran, greet them and strike up a conversation by asking them about their service to our country. There is a good chance that you will be fascinated by what you will learn. Please don’t forget to thank them for their service for you and to our great country. h
VETERAN FAMILY NETWORK h AUGUST 2011
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