April
20


Decorated Vietnam War Veteran Oliver North to speak at dedication of The Missouri Vietnam Veterans Memorial

1,410 servicemen and women from the state of Missouri gave their lives during the Vietnam War. The fallen will be honored through an official Missouri memorial on the campus of College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri.

The dedication of the memorial will take place at the College on Wednesday, April 22, 2015, at 2:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

The purpose of the memorial is to honor the fallen and properly thank Vietnam War Veterans for their sacrifice and bravery. The memorial is being constructed by staff and students and will stand near the College’s entrance.

“We are honored to build this memorial on our campus,” said College of the Ozarks President Jerry C. Davis. “The fallen and their families, along with the Vietnam Veterans, deserve a proper thank you. We hope family members and those in communities across the state will join us for this sacred occasion.”

Dedication ceremony

The speaker for the ceremony is former U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North. A decorated Vietnam War Veteran, North serves as host of the FOX News Channel documentary series “War Stories with Oliver North.” He is not only a combat-decorated Marine, but he is a #1 best-selling author, inventor, business owner and syndicated columnist. North has previously served as a convocation speaker at the College of the Ozarks.

The ceremony will begin with The Call of Remembrance, the music of a single bagpiper playing “Amazing Grace.” Walls containing the names of the fallen will be unveiled and wreaths placed on them by dignitaries. A 21-gun salute will further honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Alumnus and Vietnam Veteran General Terrence R. Dake will address those gathered.

“Kindergartners from the S. Truett Cathy Lower School will place roses in front of the statue of Vietnam Veterans to commemorate the living,” said Dean of Character Education Sue Head. “We want our younger students to understand the service and sacrifice of those who went to Vietnam.”

Additional special observances, musical numbers from the College’s choir, and opportunities for prayer and reflection are planned as part of the service.

At the end of the ceremony, family members of the fallen, and others wishing to show their respect, will place single roses at the base of the walls. The roses will be provided for those in attendance.

A reception for all those in attendance will be held immediately upon completion of the dedication ceremony at The Keeter Center on the College of the Ozarks campus.

Honoring the fallen

Names of the fallen Missouri servicemen and women are provided via the following link to the U.S. Military Fatal Casualties of the Vietnam War, available through the National Archives and prepared by the Secretary of Defense: http://www.archives.gov/research/military/vietnam-war/casualty-lists/mo-alpha.pdf
Families of the fallen are urged to call the College at (417) 690-2212 to share their information. They will be recognized with special observances during the ceremony.

These names will be carved into slabs of granite, immortalized on a divided wall which is the focal point of the memorial. The division of the wall represents the divide that separated the country during this conflict.

In between the two walls will stand a statue of Vietnam Veterans, representing those who served in Vietnam and returned home to live the rest of their lives with memories of war. A flower bed in the shape of the letter “V” for valor will display red flowers, representing the blood shed by servicemen and women.

The memorial was designed by Austin Meyer, a 2014 College of the Ozarks graduate.

More about Oliver North

Former U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North was born in San Antonio, Texas, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and served 22 years as a Marine officer. During the Vietnam War, he led a counter-insurgency Marines platoon. His awards for service in combat include the Silver Star, the Bronze Star for valor, and two Purple Hearts for wounds in combat.

Assigned to the National Security Council staff in the Reagan Administration, North was involved in planning the rescue of 804 medical students on the island of Grenada and played a major role in the capture of the hijackers of the cruise ship Achille Lauro. After helping plan the U.S. raid on Muammar Qaddafi’s terror bases in Libya, North was targeted for
assassination by Abu Nidal, the infamous terrorist killed in Baghdad in August, 2002.

President Ronald Reagan described North as “an American hero.”

Since 2001, he has been the host of “War Stories” — the award-winning military documentary series on Fox News Channel — and has been embedded with more than 55 U.S. and allied combat units. North has authored thirteen books, all of them New York Times best sellers. His latest, Heroes Proved, is a gripping tale of intrigue and duplicity at the highest levels of the U.S. Government.

In addition to his work on FOX News Channel, North also serves as the honorary chairman of Freedom Alliance, the conservative public policy organization he founded in 1990. Freedom Alliance provides tuition assistance to dependents of troops killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. Freedom Alliance also provides support to members of the armed forces who have been wounded in the line of duty, those currently serving on the front lines, and their families.

For more information, call the public relations department at (417) 690-2212 or visit www.cofo.edu

Disclaimer: BroadcastBranson.com is a service for the distribution of press releases, news and events. BroadcastBranson.com does not verify the validity or accuracy of the contents of the news that it distributes. Users are responsible for the contents of the press releases they submit to BroadcastBranson.com and the distribution via our service does not imply endorsement. BroadcastBranson.com takes no responsibility and holds no liabilities for information distributed.

April
20

Kyle Petty’s Charity Ride Comes to Branson

Posted In: City News by BroadcastBranson.com


May 2nd – May 8th

NBC Sports NASCAR analyst and former NASCAR driver Kyle Petty will lead 200 motorcyclists along the 2,500 mile-route, stretching from Santa Cruz, Calif. to right here at the Chateau on the Lake., to raise funds and awareness for Victory Junction – a camp created to enrich the lives of children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses.

Spectators, visitors and locals along the 2015 route are encouraged to attend one of the Ride’s eight overnight stops or daily fuel stops to greet Petty and the riders, purchase Ride memorabilia or make a donation to Victory Junction.


About Victory Junction
Victory Junction is a year-round camping environment for children, ages six to 16, with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. Co-founded by Kyle Petty family, in honor of his, son Adam Petty, the camp is located in Randleman, N.C. Victory Junction exists to provide life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically-sound environment, always free of charge. As a not-for-profit organization, the camp operates solely through the support of generous individuals, foundations, organizations and corporations to provide this experience at no charge to children and their families. Since the camp’s inception, more than 21,500 children and families have received not only a circle of support but experiences thought to only be possible by healthy children. Victory Junction is a member of the SeriousFun Children’s Network of Camps founded by Paul Newman, and is accredited by the rigorous guidelines of the American Camping Association. To learn more, please visit www.victoryjunction.org.
This year, many celebrities plan to participate in all or part of the 21st Anniversary Ride, including: NASCAR Hall of Famer and seven time champion Richard Petty; NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth; NASCAR legends Harry Gant and Donnie Allison; former NFL great Herschel Walker; Harley-Davidson, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Levatich; NBC Sports NASCAR analyst Rick Allen; co-host of History Channel’s Top Gear America and NASCAR personality Rutledge Wood.
The 2015 Kyle Petty Charity Ride Schedule:
Day 1, Saturday, May 2 – Santa Cruz, Calif. to Bakersfield, Calif.
Day 2, Sunday, May 3 – Bakersfield, Calif. to Tonopah, Nev.
Day 3, Monday, May 4 – Tonopah, Nev. to Bryce Canyon, Utah
Day 4, Tuesday, May 5 – Bryce Canyon, Utah to Moab, Utah
Day 5, Wednesday, May 6 – Moab, Utah to Colorado Springs, Colo.
Day 6, Thursday, May 7 – Colorado Springs, Colo. to Hutchinson, Kan.
Day 7, Friday, May 8 – Hutchinson, Kan. to Branson, Mo.
For more information please visit www.facebook.com/KPCharityRide

Disclaimer: BroadcastBranson.com is a service for the distribution of press releases, news and events. BroadcastBranson.com does not verify the validity or accuracy of the contents of the news that it distributes. Users are responsible for the contents of the press releases they submit to BroadcastBranson.com and the distribution via our service does not imply endorsement. BroadcastBranson.com takes no responsibility and holds no liabilities for information distributed.

April
20

Missouri Mountain Moonshine is a first of its kind moonshine-tasting destination that will be opening its doors this summer at the exciting Branson Landing. Making moonshine has long been a part of the legacy of the Missouri mountains, and we will continue that tradition in a fun, legal way right here in Branson. This unique to Branson location will include a moonshine tasting bar, a master mixology bar where guests can try out some of their mixed moonshine concoctions, a pit-smoked BBQ restaurant and a retail store where guests can purchase their bottled shines, apparel, jams, sauces, dry rubs, and more. Guests will be able to walk into our 5,000 square foot virtual distillery featuring rustic and modern designs, including a 1941 Ford prohibition moonshine hauler, enjoy live music, eat some of the best barbecue in the Ozarks, and sample the best moonshine Missouri has to offer. Missouri Mountain Moonshine offers a variety of flavors, including Straight White Lightnin’, Apple Pie, Caramel, Berry, Cinnamon, Peach and Sweat Tea, and the tasting allows you to decide which is your favorite before heading home with a bottle or two. Whether you love moonshine, or are just trying it out for the first time, be sure to stop by Missouri Mountain Moonshine at the Branson Landing this summer for a sip of some good ole’ Missouri Shine.

Disclaimer: BroadcastBranson.com is a service for the distribution of press releases, news and events. BroadcastBranson.com does not verify the validity or accuracy of the contents of the news that it distributes. Users are responsible for the contents of the press releases they submit to BroadcastBranson.com and the distribution via our service does not imply endorsement. BroadcastBranson.com takes no responsibility and holds no liabilities for information distributed.