by Linda Burligame for Shepherd of the Hills Gazette

"Honoring those who served," Veterans Memorial Museum in Branson honors veterans of WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf War; all major battles and campaigns are recognized.

Veterans Homecoming Week in Branson, Nov. 5-11, is an especially good time to visit the Museum. There will be book signings all week; Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 2001 will do a flag retirement ceremony, an outdoor, free event. General Tommy Franks Traveling Museum will be there Nov. 6 & 7 and is free to the public. Also outside the Museum are two new sculptures by Hoppe, including a 12-man statue. The Veterans Memorial Museum is one of two Veterans Registry Locations. Veterans can also register at Factory Merchants Mall.

Old and young alike are intrigued by the thought-provoking collection at the Museum. I'm touched by the letters, posters, things showing the love and support of everyone back here at home. The Museum is an extraordinary and fascinating look at our nation's history, celebrating Veterans all year long!

Fred Hoppe, Jr., creator and owner of the Museum, is a sculptor whose work is known and respected worldwide. Outside the museum are two of his new pieces, including a 12-man statue. One of his most impressive works is inside the Museum, an amazing piece depicting 50 life-sized soldiers storming a beach. Each soldier is modeled from a real-life combat veteran, one from each of the 50 states. The piece is 70 feet long, the world's largest bronze memorial sculpture! The lead soldier is modeled on the late Fred Hoppe, Sr., one of the most decorated combat Veterans of World War II, a fact Hoppe did not know until shortly before his father's death. Hoppe created the museum because of his father, who told him, "I'm no hero; the real heroes never came home."

In the Museum Hoppe has assembled an amazing collection of more than 2000 pieces of sculpture, art, weapons, uniforms, medals, motorcycles — memorabilia including letters, photographs and posters. The walls of the WWII Hall are covered with the names of more than 400,000 men and women who died for our freedom in that war. There is a complete list of men and women killed in Korea, Vietnam and during Desert Storm and other conflicts of the 20th Century.

Veterans always get an admission discount. The Veterans Memorial Museum is on Hwy. 76 east of Dixie Stampede. You can't miss it— there is a World War II P-51 Mustang Fighter plane standing guard outside!

Labels: Homecoming, Veterans, Veterans Week