Unique Branson event honors Purple Heart Recipients for eighth consecutive year

When Purple Heart Recipients from all around the country gather in Branson, Missouri from Thursday, April 21 through Saturday April 23, 2016, it will be the eighth consecutive year that Branson.Com has hosted Branson.Com Honors Purple Heart Recipients. Annette Wood, the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center, the parent company of Branson.Com, said, “We are honored and privileged to have been be able to host this unique event, dedicated to remembering, honoring, serving, and entertaining those who have received the ‘Purple Heart’ for combat wounds received while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, for the past eight years.”

Wood points out that the event was started by Branson.Com in conjunction with the assistance and support of the “The Military Order of the Purple Heart” (MOPH) eight years ago and is unique in that it is the only event dedicated solely to those who have received the “Purple Heart.” The three-day event is designed to permit a maximum amount of time for the attendees to fellowship and share with each other, experience the excitement and hospitality of Branson and attend other activities designed to honor, entertain and support them. For a complete current schedule of activities please go to http://veterans.branson.com/events/info/branson-com-honors-purple-heart-recipients. Although subject to change, here’s the list of scheduled activities as of April 11, 2016:

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

08:00 am – 09:00 pm (0800 – 2100) – Early registration at Branson Tourism Center (220 Branson Hills Pkwy)

Thursday, April 21, 2016
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. (0800 – 2130) – Registration in the Lobby of the Radisson Hotel (120 Wildwood Drive)

DAY 1

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Vendor Village: Located at the Radisson Hotel Hospitality Room & along the hallway:

Wounded Warrior
KIA
Quilts of Honor
Purple Hearts Reunited
Infidel Lures
Purple Heart Riders
Mary Shantag – POW Network
Copper Penny

Hospitality Room:
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (0800 – 2200) – Radisson Hotel (120 Wildwood Drive)

Motorcycle Run:
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (1000 – 1400)
* registration required
Branson’s First Stop located at 220 Branson Hills Pkwy

Mix and Mingle:
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. (1630 – 1730) – Starlite Theater (3115 W. Hwy 76)

Cost: $0.00 for Purple Heart Recipients
Cost: $14.00 for Non Purple Heart Recipients

Mix and Mingle with Food Provided. Beer & Wine Cash bar will be available.
Hamburger & Chicken Sandwich Bar with all the fixings, Homemade Chips, Dessert, tea & water. Vegetarian options are available

Opening Ceremony:
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (1730 – 1830) – Starlite Theater

Color Guard – Posting the Colors
Pledge of Allegiance & Opening Prayer
National Anthem – AYO
Official Welcome – Billy Dean & Jarrett
Guest Performers

Billy Dean in Concert with Jarrett:
7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (1930 – 2130) – Starlite Theater (3115 W. Hwy 76)

Cost: $0.00 for Purple Heart Recipients
Cost: $33.00 for Non Purple Heart Recipients

DAY 2

Friday, April 22, 2016

Vendor Village: Located at the Radisson Hotel Hospitality Room & along the hallway.

Hospitality Room: Taneycomo Room C & D
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (0800 – 2200) – Radisson Hotel (120 Wildwood Drive)

National Service Officers – Medal of Honor Room:
7:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. (0700 – 0930) – Radisson Hotel Hospitality Room (120 Wildwood Drive)

PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS ONLY

Fishing Tournament:
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (1000 – 1400) – Scotty’s Trout Dock (400 Boxcar Willie Drive)

Fishermen will once again head out on Lake Taneycomo in pontoon boats provided by Scotty’s Trout Dock. All fishing equipment will be provided and all fishing licenses will be waived for Purple Heart Recipients. Space is limited so register now to book your spot.

Ladies and Gentlemen Non-Fishing Option:
10:00 am – 2:00 pm (1000 – 1400)

Cost: $0.00 for Purple Heart Recipients
Cost: $15.00 for Non-Purple Heart Recipients

Motor coach pick up at Radisson Hotel for a fun and educational wine tasting and tour at Mount Pleasant Winery where participants will have the opportunity to bottle their own wine (for a small fee) after which the tour will head over to the Stone Hill Winery for a fun and informative tasting and tour. The activity will conclude at the Branson Craft Mall with the opportunity for some unique shopping and a great lunch option, on your own, at the Pickin’ Porch Deli. Those who wish to return to the hotel, will be dropped off and then the motor coach will proceed to the Fishing Weigh-In.

Fishing Tournament Weigh-In:
2:10 p.m. (1410) – Scotty’s Trout Dock (400 Boxcar Willie Drive)

Prizes will be given for 1st through 5th place.

National Service Officers – Medal of Honor Room:
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (1600 – 1800) – Radisson Hotel Hospitality Room (120 Wildwood Drive)

Guest Speaker – Liberty Room:
4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. (1600 – 1645) – Radisson Hotel (120 Wildwood Drive)
Ted Knox, A U. S. Navy Corpsman who, while serving as a U.S. Marine Medic in Vietnam, was wounded while giving aide, under fire, to one of his  Marines who had just been shot.

Dinner & Dancing – Table Rock A & B:
Dinner – 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (1800 – 1930) – Radisson Hotel (120 Wildwood Drive). There will be a DJ from 6 pm to 10 pm – Dinner Menu will be plated with Beef Medalions – Champagne Chicken Breast, Seasoned potatoes, & Seasonal vegetables – Dessert – coffee, tea, & water. A Cash Bar will be set up with dancing after Dinner to 10:00 pm (2200).

Cost: $0.00 for Purple Heart Recipients
Cost: $20.00 for Non-Purple Heart Recipients

DAY 3

Saturday, April 23, 2016

Vendor Village: Located at the Radisson Hotel Hospitality Room & along the hallway.

Hospitality Room:
7:00 am – 11:00 am (0700 – 1100) – Radisson Hotel (120 Wildwood Drive)

Closing Ceremony:
11:00 am – 12:30 pm (1100 – 1230) – Starlite Theater (3115 W. Hwy 76)

Pledge of Allegiance
Emcee – Dave Hamner
National Anthem
Guest performers
Color Guard – Retiring the Colors
Schedule subject to change!

Gene Watson
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm (1400 – 1600) – Starlite Theater (3115 W. Hwy 76)

Cost: $0.00 for Purple Heart Recipients
Cost: $35.00 for Non Purple Heart Recipients

Although early registration is encouraged, Wood points out that there is no closing time for the registration of Purple Hear Recipients. “If you are a Purple Heart Recipient, this is your event and we want you there whenever you register,” she said. For further information on the 8th Annual Branson.Com Honors Purple Heart Recipients please call 1-800-268-4014 or go to the Branson.Com Honors Purple Heart Recipients website.