Support area veterans at special events in September

Branson Veterans of America 913 invites the community to the annual Veterans Appreciation Day in Branson, to be held Saturday, September 27, at the Branson Events Center in The Shoppes at Branson Meadows, 4562 N. Gretna Rd. 

Hosted by Branson Veterans of America 913, Appreciation Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include a free lunch for every veteran in attendance. Family members and other non-veterans attending can also enjoy the catered lunch for just $7. 

Again this year, there be a car show, along with 31 resource/vendor booths including children’s activities and food/beverage trucks, as well as a new feature, the “Veterans Celebration Station.” Coordinated by CSM Steve Laire, this station will help veterans of all service eras to identify with their era and make valuable connections. It will also help educate the public about the military during peace time. 

BVA 913 is a not-for-profit organization focused on helping southwest Missouri veterans from all areas of service and their families. Veterans Appreciation Day is an opportunity for the community to thank and get to know area veterans, but it is also a time for those veterans to get connected. Along with current BVA 913 members, there will be other veterans’ groups and resource organizations present, and any veteran not presently involved with a group for support and camaraderie, or not familiar services available to veterans, is encouraged to attend, so spread the word if you know a veteran who should attend.

To help support the mission of BVA 913, the community is also invited to register for the Sporting Clay Charity Shoot planned for Thursday, September 11, at Ozark Shooters Sports Complex, 759 U.S. Hwy. 65, in Walnut Shade north of Branson. 

Entry fee for the 50-bird Individual Shoot is $75 per shooter, $70 for veterans. Rental guns are available, with ammunition available for purchase, and lunch is provided for participants. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m., followed by a mandatory safety briefing before the 10 a.m. start. 

Profits from the sport shoot stay local, so come on out and support veterans while enjoying a great day at the range! 

Learn more at www.bransonveteransofamerica.com or via their social media. Working together, we can thank our area veterans, support those in need, and help make sure they can access the resources they deserve.