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Mary Schantag info@pownetwork.org POW NETWORK 417-336-4232 pownetwork.org 102 Vixen Circle Branson, MO 65616 |
More than 400 veterans, friends and family joined the P.O.W. NETWORK on November 8 in Branson, Missouri for the 14th Annual Military Gala & Banquet held at the extravagant Chateau on the Lake. Hundreds more attended the 2nd half of the evening to enjoy the entertainment provided by TOPS IN BLUE from Randolph Air Force Base in Texas.
The event’s emcee was Erwin Schultze, the 2008 Patriotism Award recipient and DAV National Service Officer. President of the Mess was LTC Jim Schreffler from College of the Ozarks. The POW Network’s founding member, Mary Schantag, shared the stage to introduce the VIPs and sponsors.
The evening included a candlelight POW/MIA remembrance tribute, a salute to the National Guard and the Reserves, an outdoor fireworks display and a Community Covenant signing between the City of Branson and Fort Leonard Wood. Mayor Raeanne Presley, Major General David E. Quantock, Commanding General, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood; Command Sergeant Major Corbly L. Elsbury, Command Sergeant Major, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood; Col Nancy A Springer, Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Detachment Fort Leonard Wood ; Major Erik M. Sell, Air Force Commander, 366th Training Squadron, Detachment 7, Fort Leonard Wood, Lieutenant Jeffery E. Turner, Navy Commander, Center for Seabees and Facilities Engineering Detachment, Fort Leonard Wood; and Kylie Hughes, Founder, The Tyler Project, participated as signees.
In addition to signing the Community Covenant, The Tyler Project founder, Kylie Hughes received the P.O.W. Network’s “Patriotism Award” for her work with the troops through a school club at Branson Junior High. The award presentation included a check from the Network and a call for support so more packages could be mailed to those in the military.
The evening concluded with entertainment provided by the United States Air Force group, TOPS IN BLUE, with the audience on their feet in tribute to the active duty performers. The 46 members had traveled to over 25 countries with more than 140 performances in 2010. They will return overseas to perform for the troops during the holidays.
Harris Broadcasting provided a film crew assuring the GALA was streaming live via the internet, available to troops worldwide.
The non-profit P.O.W. NETWORK celebrated its 21st anniversary during the Branson Veterans Homecoming Week.
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