Honor those who served our country with these 20 Veterans Day events in the Ozarks
For the last 68 years, Americans have honored military veterans for their service on Veterans Day. This year, Veterans Day is Friday, Nov. 11.
To help folks celebrate, the News-Leader compiled a list of 20 different Veterans Day activities to attend and discounts to be aware of throughout the Ozarks.
Veterans Village at Ballparks of America
When: Nov. 5-10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Ballparks of America (buildings 2 and 3) at 1000 Pat Nash Drive in Branson
Each year, Branson honors military veterans with a week full of activities, as a part of Branson's Veterans Homecoming Week.
For five days, Veterans Village at Ballparks of America will be open to military veterans, active troops and first responders. The village includes a mess hall, 30-40 patriotic vendors and an entertainment room, according to the city of Branson website. The mess hall, open 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. daily, is free for veterans and $6 for guests.
IMAX Military Film Festival
When: Nov. 6-10
Where: Branson's IMAX Entertainment Complex at 3562 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway in Branson
Five films over five days make up Branson's Military Film Festival. The showings are as follows:
"Journey to Honor & Skytrain" on Sunday, Nov. 6
"Dear Sirs" on Monday, Nov. 7 and Wednesday, Nov. 9
"That's All Brother!" (parts one and three) on Tuesday, Nov. 8
"The Donut Dollies" on Thursday, Nov. 10
Tickets are available at 7:30 a.m. each morning at the IMAX box office. Seating begins at 8 a.m. and showtime is 8:30 a.m. Admission is free for veterans and $6 for guests.
Hearts and Hopes of Heroes
When: Monday, Nov. 7 at 2:30 p.m.
Where: The Mansion Theatre at 189 Expressway Lane in Branson.
Hearts and Hopes of Heroes is comprised of a 300-person mass choir. The performance this year will include a multimedia presentation, highlighting the life of veterans.
Tickets are available online for $30 at bit.ly/3znIXzn.
Veterans Day discount extended at Wonders of Wildlife
When: Nov. 5-13
Where: Wonders of Wildlife at 500 W. Sunshine St.
In honor of U.S. military personnel, Wonders of Wildlife is extending its Veterans Day discount from Saturday, Nov. 5 through Sunday, Nov. 13. Single-day tickets will be 50% off for veterans and up to three guests. Military personnel must have a valid ID to receive the discount.
Veterans Connection Buffet Breakfast
When: Saturday, Nov. 5 from 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Where: VFW Post 3404 at 1136 E. Atlantic St.
Veterans Connection is a group of veterans who meet each first Saturday of the month. The gathering includes a breakfast buffet, fellowship and support.
Willard's Veterans Day Celebration
When: Saturday, Nov. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Where: Jackson Street Park at 222 W. Jackson St. in Willard
Willard's third annual Veterans Day Celebration kicks off at 11:30 a.m. with a parade, beginning at Willard High School. At 1:30 p.m. a flag retirement ceremony will be held at Jackson Street Park.
Throughout the entire day, folks may enjoy artisan vendors, music and veteran support groups. A chili cook off will also be held in the Willard Community Building. To enter into the competition, registration is $10. For folks who want to have a taste, the entrance fee is $5. For more information, contact Doug Johnson at 573-934-0377.
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Honoring our Veterans POW-WOW
When: Saturday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m.
Where: Greenwood Laboratory School at 1124 Harrison St.
Greenwood Laboratory School is hosting the second annual Honoring our Veterans POW-WOW the first weekend of November. The powwow begins at 2 p.m. with a gourd dance led by Head Gourd Dancer Bruce Caesar from Lawton, Oklahoma. Dinner will be served at 4:30 p.m. and the grand entry begins at 6 p.m. Admission is free.
Glendale High School breakfast, assembly
When: Thursday, Nov. 10 at 9:30 a.m.
Where: Glendale High School at 2727 S. Ingram Mill Road
Glendale High School is hosting its annual Veterans Day breakfast and assembly Thursday. According to Springfield Public Schools Communications Assistant Director Teresa Bledsoe, about 85 veterans and families typically participate in this event.
Veterans Day Dine-In Breakfast
When: Friday, Nov. 11 from 6-10 a.m.
Where: Hy-Vee locations at 1720 W. Battlefield Road and 2150 E. Sunshine St.
Both Hy-Vee locations in Springfield are celebrating Veterans Day with a buffet-style breakfast. The breakfast is free to all veterans and active military members.
Through Nov. 13, Hy-Vee is hosting its annual Homefront Round Up fundraiser. Hy-Vee will match all customer donations, which can be made at the register, up to $100,000. Coca-Cola will match an additional $50,000. All proceeds benefit Hope for the Warriors, Operation First Response, American Red Cross and the Puppy Jake Foundation.
Additionally, all veterans and active-duty members may receive 15% off grocery purchases on Friday, Nov. 11.
Veterans Day Sunrise Service
When: Friday, Nov. 11 at 7 a.m.
Where: College of the Ozarks at 100 Opportunity Ave. in Point Lookout
College of the Ozarks' annual Veterans Day Sunrise Service is held at the Williams Memorial Chapel flagpole.
Veterans Day Breakfast and Taps Project
When: Friday, Nov. 11 at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Missouri State University Plaster Student Union Ballroom at 1110 E. Madison St.
Missouri State University is honoring military veterans with an array of activities throughout the morning of Friday, Nov. 11. Celebrations begin with a complimentary breakfast in the Plaster Student Union Ballroom. Doors open at 8 a.m. and breakfast is served at 8:30 a.m.
Music will be provided by the 135th Army Band, Windfall. The Missouri State University Pershing Rifles Company will present the Color Guard and the Missouri State BearTones will perform the National Anthem. The breakfast is free but registration is required by Nov. 3. Register online at bit.ly/3feG3pR.
Following breakfast, Taps will be presented by Missouri State trumpeters at 11:11 a.m. outside McDonald Arena.
Folks who wish to speak with cadre, cadets or other alumni may enjoy an Alumni Open House in Fruedenberger House at noon.
Parking is available at the Davis-Harrington Welcome Center Lot 14, located at the southwest corner of National Avenue and Bear Boulevard, or Lot 29, located at the northwest corner of National Avenue and Bear Boulevard.
Pershing Middle School drive-thru appreciation
When: Friday, Nov. 11 from 8:30-9:15 a.m.
Where: Pershing Middle School at 2120 S. Ventura Ave.
Pershing Middle School Student Council is hosting a drive-thru appreciation event for veterans. Folks can drive past the school, where cheerleaders and students will be holding up posters and giving out goodie bags. During the day, students will also be writing thank you letters to Honor Flight veterans.
Parkview High School musical performances
When: Friday, Nov. 11 at 9:45 a.m. and Sunday, Nov. 13 at 3 p.m.
Where: Parkview High School at 516 W. Meadowmere St.
Parkview High School's music department is hosting two Veterans Day performances, held in the Parkview gymnasium.
Cherokee Middle School assembly
When: Friday, Nov. 11 at 9:50 a.m.
Where: Cherokee Middle School at 420 E. Farm Road 182
This week, Cherokee Middle School has lined its campus with flags in honor of Veterans Day. On Friday, Nov. 11, a Veterans Day assembly will be held.
Free handcrafted drink at Scooter's Coffee
When: Friday, Nov. 11 from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Scooter's Coffee at 2930 S. Campbell Ave. and 3265 E. Sunshine St.
Scooter's Coffee is offering one free handcrafted drink of any size to all veterans on Friday, Nov. 11. Veterans must present their valid military ID for the promotion. The offer is not available for Order Ahead or through the Scooter's Coffee mobile app.
Honoring veterans at Bricktown Brewery
When: Friday, Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Bricktown Brewery at 2040 E. Independence St.
Bricktown Brewery is honoring Veterans Day with one free entrée and a commemorative "Thank You For Your Service" pint glass to veterans and active military guests. In addition, these guests will receive a $10-off certificate to be used at a future visit to Bricktown Brewery. A valid ID is required to receive the discount.
Veterans Day Sip and Smoke
When: Friday, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m.
Where: Tabak Co. at 311 Park Central West
Folks are invited to enjoy cigar and cognac pairings at Tabak Co. on Friday, Nov. 11. Alec Bradley Cigars representative Michael Cushinberry and Heavenly Spirits representative Steffens Spinks will be present to answer questions.
Admission is $30; $5 from each ticket will be donated to Ruck N Run, a nonprofit veterans organization based in Republic. Purchase tickets on eventbrite at bit.ly/3N5KGiw.
Veterans Day Ceremony in Nixa
When: Saturday, Nov. 12 from 9-11 a.m.
Where: Nixa Community Center at 701 N. Taylor Way in Nixa
Nixa Parks and Recreation is hosting a Veterans Day ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 12. Refreshments will be served prior to the ceremony.
Golden Corral Military Appreciation Night
When: Monday, Nov. 14 from 5 p.m. to close
Where: Golden Corral at 2020 E. Primrose St. and 2734 N. Kansas Expressway
Golden Corral restaurants are hosting their 22nd annual Military Appreciation Night the Monday following Veterans Day. Veterans may receive a free "thank you" meal during the evening of Monday, Nov. 14. Military identification is not required.
Veteran Stand Down
When: Wednesday, Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: VFW Post 3404 at 1136 E. Atlantic St.
The Veteran Stand Down is a day-long event for veterans to learn about resources and services available to them in the community. Veterans may learn about homeless outreach, training, employment, counseling, housing, health screenings, vaccinations, legal services, food pantries and more. Each attendee will be offered a backpack, cold weather clothing and food items as a supplement for a Thanksgiving meal.
Veteran Stand Down is organized by VFW Post 3404, Community Partnership of the Ozarks, Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri, The Kitchen, Veterans Administration and Ozark Technical Community College.
Volunteers are still needed for the event. For more information about volunteerism, contact Stephanie Aterberry by phone at 417-444-3261 or email at saterberry@ccsomo.org. Volunteers should be confirmed by Nov. 1.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Veterans Day events to celebrate in the Ozarks in November
