City of Branson reaffirms commitment to Veterans Memorial Garden with new financial partnership

At its September 23, 2025, meeting, the Branson Board of Aldermen gave its approval to the second reading of Bill No. 6592, continuing the City of Branson’s support for one of its most beautiful and inspirational patriotic landmarks, the Branson Veterans Memorial Garden (Garden). During the discussion before voting on the bill, Ward 2 Alderman Marshall Howden says, “As far as faith, family and flag and what our community represents, on the front porch of Branson, it doesn’t get much better than what the Veterans Memorial Garden offers.”

Under the new agreement, the City of Branson commits to spending up to $5,000 from its general funds to cover garden expenses. Although the agreement is a one-time, non-renewable conveyance of funds effective through December 31, 2026, from the City to the Garden, the Board’s action in this case follows similar annual approvals of past Boards.

In return for the funding, the Veterans Memorial Garden, Inc. agrees to “Maintain the beauty of the Branson Veterans Memorial Garden throughout the growing seasons.” The Garden must also maintain records documenting the services provided and how it spends the funds and provide copies to the City upon request.

The Garden was founded in 2007 by Ben Kinel, driven by his love for gardening and his passion for honoring veterans. Kinel, a Marine veteran and Master Gardener, was inspired to create the memorial after driving by a plot of neglected, overgrown, weed-filled land at the intersection of 76 Country Boulevard and Roark Valley Road.

The Garden originally began operating solely on donations and the hard work of volunteers. Kinel secured a long-term lease in 2008 from the property owners at Silver Dollar City and started contacting local businesses and individuals for contributions. Since the site is located on a hillside, initial work involved extensive landscaping, including terracing the site for planting beds, hauling truckloads of rock, bringing in large trees and topsoil and adding fertilizer and compost. A watering system was later installed to keep everything alive and growing.

The Garden is designed as a living landscape that highlights the honorable service of veterans to the United States. It serves as a place for visitors to reflect, remember, celebrate and pay tribute to military personnel from all branches and conflicts. It is open to the public year-round, and admission is free of charge.

One of the most striking features is the bronze sculpture titled “Staying Low,” an 8 x 15-foot sculpture created by Fred Hoppe Jr. of Lincoln, Nebraska. The sculpture depicts twelve World War II soldiers on a scouting mission. The City of Branson purchased the sculpture, which has an estimated value of about $7 million.

The Garden also features a Flag Plaza where four flags fly: the U.S. Flag, the Missouri State Flag, the POW Flag, and a flag representing all five branches of the Armed Forces (U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Space Force). Mulched walkways lead visitors throughout the Garden, and benches, a water feature, a gazebo and various artworks are also featured.

In the bill, the City emphasizes that this financial partnership supports its core identity as a “world-class city devoted to tourism and patriotism.” It expresses the City officials’ belief that maintaining the Garden’s state of beauty and enhancing its memorial sculptures will ensure the Garden continues to honor Veterans. It also notes that the City is proud to employ 46 Veterans who have or are currently serving in our country’s military.

A 501(c)(3) organization, the Veterans Memorial Garden, except for the limited funding provided by the City, operates solely on donations and the hard work of volunteers. Information on how to donate or volunteer is on the Garden’s website, www.veteransmemorialgarden.com.