The annual ceremony for the Vietnam Peace Accord
sponsored by the Branson Veterans Task Force has been expanded this year to
include a dinner in addition to the ceremony at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 27
at Golden Corral, 3551 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, Branson.
Being presented in conjunction with the Vietnam Veterans
of America (VVA) Chapter 913 of Branson, part of the ceremony will include a
special service award presented by the VVA and a guest speaker, Gary
Linderer, author, Vietnam veteran and chairman and CEO of Operation
Homecoming USA. Dr. Dale Smith, chairman of the board of the Branson
Veterans Task Force, will emcee the event with color guard from the Branson
High School ROTC, National Anthem sung by Jessica Ahrens and special music
by Gene Dove of the Baldknobbers.
"Branson Veterans Task Force annually sponsors a
moving ceremony which marks the day in 1973 when America's longest and most
controversial war came to an end," said Smith. "The headlines of
that day called Vietnam America's longest war. Signed in Paris at two
separate signing ceremonies, the accord was effective at 7 p.m. Eastern
standard time on Jan. 27, 1973. Reports referred to the eerie silence under
which the cease-fire agreement was signed ‘without a word or a gesture.’
The events that day were called a milestone in achieving peace."
"Branson Veterans Task Force is big on events and
big on making veterans feel appreciated and welcomed. All are welcome to
attend this ceremony. Admission to the ceremony is free and dinner is
optional," said Smith.
Branson Veterans Task Force is a nine-year-old non-profit
organization working to honor America’s brave soldiers and military
personnel year round. The group is instrumental in providing festivities
such as the nation’s largest Veterans Day celebration Veterans Homecoming,
Independence Day celebrations, patriotic parades, Memorial Day ceremonies
and more.
For more information contact: Branson Veterans Task Force
Inc., 138 Pointe Royale Drive Suite 0 (The Helms Building), Branson, MO
65615 or call 417-337-VETS.
