Memorial service to honor those who gave all

The Branson Veterans of America 913 will host the city's annual Memorial Day Ceremony. Set for Monday, May 25, the event is designed to honor those brave men and women who gave their lives to protect our freedom.  

The Memorial Day event will include special musical selections, posting of the colors, a wreath placement ceremony, flag folding ceremony, traditional rifle volley and words from special invited guests and elected officials,

The keynote speaker for the Memorial Day Ceremony is Henry R (Hank) Molinengo ll, Rear Admiral, JAGC, U.S. Navy (Retired).

Molinengo was commissioned into the U.S. Navy under the JAG Corps Student Program in 1980. Molinengo graduated from Catholic University and Catholic University Law School. He later received a L.L.M. in Military Law from the Judge Advocate General's School of the Army.

Molinengo began active duty service in 1982 at the Naval Legal Service office in Norfolk, VA, where he served as defense counsel and Command Service Department head. He later served as Staff Judge Advocate with Commander Amphibious Group TWO/Commander Amphibious Striking Force (NATO) where he was deployed on many deterrent national and NATO tasks. 

Throughout his career, Molinengo would hold many titles, and serve in a variety of positions, including Commander of the Naval Legal Service Office in Guam, Force Judge Advocate and Commander Submarine Force, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General and JAG Corps Community Manager, Executive Assistant to the Judge Advocate General and in 2002 was promoted to Legal Counsel to the Chief of Naval Personnel. From there, Molinengo became First Chief of Staff for Naval Legal Service Command, and in 2006 he was promoted to Rear Admiral (Lower Half) and served as the Assistant Judge Advocate General of the Navy. Vice Commander, Naval Legal Service Command. He was the third ranking officer in the Navy Jag Corps.

Molinengo retired from active duty in November 2008, and immediately began service with the Office of General Counsel of the Navy, before moving on to become the Associate Dean of Administrative Affairs with the George Washington University Law School. He was later promoted to the position of Senior Associate Dean for Administrative Affairs and the John S Jenkins Family Professional Lecturer in Law and Policy. He retired from this position in 2021 but remains with George Washington Law School as an adjunct professor. He also volunteers as a spokesperson with "Wellness for Warriors," a program designed to support physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of the military and first responders.

Branson's Annual Memorial Day Ceremony will be held Monday, May 25, beginning at 11 a.m. at the Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, 1638 East Highway 76. Seating is very limited, so please bring a lawn chair.