Military Gala an inspirational part of Veterans Homecoming Week

A highlight of Veterans Week in Branson each year is the annual Military Gala and Banquet, with currently active and former members of the U.S. Military joining P.O.W. Network volunteers and community friends and supporters for a formal celebration. The 29th Annual Gala was held on Sunday evening, November 9, at the Chateau on the Lake.

This year’s special emphasis was “Saluting the USS Pueblo Crew.” Captured off the North Korean shore during the Vietnam War, the crew was held captive for 11 months, tortured and starved, until their eventual release just prior to Christmas 1968. One crew member did not survive the capture, and the ship is still held hostage by North Korea and used as a museum.

Originally classified as “illegally detained,” the crew were designated as prisoners of war in 1990. Several crew members were able to attend the Gala and other special events during Veterans Week, including a showing of Bill Lowe’s highly-awarded “Pueblo: A Year of Crises in America,” documenting their experiences; and Gala attendees were held spellbound by the personal memories shared by USS Pueblo CTC Don Peppard.

Lt. David “Mac” McAllister, USN (Ret.) served as Master of Ceremonies for the Gala; LCDR Marvin Bucholz, USN (Ret.) served as President of the Mess. Veterans of the Ozarks presented the colors; Devin Callahan presented the National Anthem; Miranda Adams Morgan led the Pledge of Allegiance; and VFW Post 4938 Women’s Auxiliary Chaplain Connie Beesley led the invocation.

An important part of each year’s Gala is the remembrance of those P.O.W./MIA still unaccounted for and whose families still lack closure. Candidates with the College of the Ozarks Military Science Program presented the Candlelight Service, with Chris Conant providing musical accompaniment of John Williams’ “Hymn to the Fallen.” The event program introduced the special missing guest honored by the symbolic items on the white table of remembrance: Gerald Lee Ramsden, USN, was lost in January 1968 and in 1973, declared “Killed in Action with body not recovered.” In addition to honoring Ramsden, each Gala attendee introduced the missing guest named on their place card and lit a candle in their memory.

The evening also included a round of formal toasts, a delicious dinner and the 250th USMC Birthday Cake Cutting, presided over by CWO Scott Krenzke, USMC (Ret.). Guests then proceeded outdoors for fireworks presented by A.M. Pyrotechnics, LLC.

Following the intermission, P.O.W. Network Chairman Mary Schantag shared introductions of special guests, including the family of U.S. Marine Victory C. Harper. Harper’s family, including daughter Joanna Harper Clifton, recently received Harper’s long-overdue medals, as well as the Gold Star Lapel Pin and Next of Kin Lapel Pin, for Harper’s heroism and his death during action against Japanese forces at Tinian, Marianas Islands, in July 1944.

Rounding out the inspirational evening, Devin Callahan presented a musical tribute followed by the benediction prayer by Connie Beesley and retirement of the colors by VOTO. Guests then enjoyed dancing to music provided by Tom Lovato and Friends.

These special evenings each year are made possible by the tireless efforts of Mary Schantag and the team of P.O.W. Network volunteers, along with dedicated individual and business sponsors from around Branson and surrounding communities. We at the Globe thank them for all they do to honor our military!