Several veterans gathered Monday at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Branson for a proclamation reading, recognizing the Spirit of 45 movement.


Dick Erickson, fourth from left, reads a proclamation from Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley, recognizing the importance Keep the Spirit of ‘45 Alive project. Keep the Spirit of ‘45 Alive is a yearlong national campaign to raise public awareness about the 65th anniversary of the end of WWII and to inspire a renewed commitment to service and national unity in America.

Read the rest of the story by Mindy Honey of the Branson Tri-Lakes News by clicking here:
http://bransontrilakesnews.com/news_free/article_429d5682-894b-11df-acb2-001cc4c03286.html

Labels: Branson, branson attractions, branson shows, heroes, WWII

‘They are dedicated to the present day soldier’ By Chris Dunker/Daily Sun staff writer Saturday, May 29, 2010

Motorists traveling northbound on South Sixth Street might have met the gaze of the bronze soldier in mid-stride at Veterans Memorial Park.

“Fred’s a Nebraska native, and he did a wonderful job on the sculpture we have in the park,” Vetrovsky said. “The sculpture he is designing now is one of a kind, that's why the cost is a little bit more because he has to start from scratch.”

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http://www.beatricedailysun.com/news/local/article_c8593e2e-6ac6-11df-8b2d-001cc4c002e0.html?mode=story

Image provided by Fred Hoppe.  The Veteran’s Memorial Park in Beatrice hopes to raise $40,000 to purchase a new sculpture depicting male and female soldiers during the Gulf War and the global war on terror. Nebraska sculptor Fred Hoppe will create the original sculpture from scratch.

Labels: branson attractions, Desert Storm, Gulf war, Veterans

By Carol Hintermeister for the Suburban Journals, St Louis Metropolitan Area

My husband, Burt, and I returned a few days ago from a short vacation in Branson, Mo.

You know, "down home country," although there is a lot more to hear, see and do than just country music. It has grown into quite a tourist attraction over the years, as more variety shows, amusements, restaurants and lodgings spring up almost every season.

A Branson holiday for a family can be expensive, but it's worth it as there's something for all ages, indoors and out. We've been there many times, in different seasons, and always came home refreshed.

This time, I returned home not only refreshed, but with a profound respect for our country's armed forces. We visited one of Branson's newer attractions, the Veterans Memorial Museum.

It is filled with exhibits of artifacts, war paraphernalia, photos, and uniforms of soldiers, officers and even nurses and medics from World War I through the Gulf War. It is reasonably priced, especially for veterans and the military, and it is a self-guided tour through numerous rooms displaying the various wars.

One reason Burt wanted to visit this museum, besides being an Army veteran himself, was because he read that there was a display in one area with names of the soldiers killed in World War II. His older brother, Fred, was shot in a foxhole during that war, and he wanted to see if he could find his name on the wall.

When we walked into the room that held all these names, I was appalled, and saddened, to see the tremendous number of them printed on three huge walls. Burt found his brother's name, and a photo was taken of him standing next to the wall, pointing to it. I sensed it brought some closure to his brother's demise, as Burt appeared satisfied that Fred's name was there.

After browsing through the rest of the museum, I experienced a deeper respect for all the men and women who have served, and are still serving, in the military, especially those who have fought in wars. Actually seeing and reading what these soldiers endured, and still endure, to defend our country's freedom, made me feel ashamed I sometimes take our freedom for granted.

For the rest of the story click here:
http://suburbanjournals.stltoday.com/articles/2010/06/08/jefferson/opinion/0609jc-opshaper0.txt

Labels: Branson, branson attractions, branson shows, heroes, KIA, Veterans, WWII