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To mark the 35^th anniversary of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam    War on April 30, Branson Veterans Events & Reunions plans an opening ceremony at a location to be determined and a closing event at noon on May 2 at Branson Landing in association with Vietnam Veterans of America Ch. 913 and Associated Artists.

There will be an opening ceremony on April 30 at a time and location to be announced. To give the veterans a chance to enjoy what Branson has to offe,  the event won’t conclude until May 2.

Southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt and Southeast Missouri Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson will attend the May 2 event designed to thank the veterans.

“It’s been 35 years since the end of our military involvement in Vietnam,” Congressman Blunt said. “It’s past time to honor the sacrifice, dedication and valor of those 2.6 million veterans who served ‘in country’ and the 8.2 million in the U.S. military during that era. The men and women who served during that turbulent time bravely and patriotically fulfilled their duty to America and each other.

Congresswoman Emerson says:  “I can’t say enough about the service of Vietnam Veterans to our country.  Not only did they fight for our country and for the people of Vietnam, but then they returned home where they have continued to serve America.”

Emerson said she want to say “the two words they do not hear enough: ‘Thank you.’  Their loyalty to our country and to one another is an amazing example of enduring spirit.”

Also participating in the salute is the Vietnam Veterans of America, organized in 1978 with a singular purpose:  VVA has 630 chapters and 50,000 members nationwide.

Spokesman Arlen Lipper said, “Among VVA’s goals are to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans, and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans.”

Associated Artists’ Bob Nichols said Branson is known nationwide as Veteran City, USA.

“2010 is the year to ensure that our Vietnam Veterans know they are an honored part of our celebration of national pride and gratitude,” said Nichols, who is the past producer of numerous Veteran shows and celebrations held each year in Branson. “This is a way for our community of entertainers to say thanks to the vets for all they did to protect our way of life and our very safety as well,” Nichols said.

Associated Artists will produce the opening ceremonies and the “Tribute at the Landing.”

July 2009 marked the 50th anniversary of the deaths of the first of the more than 58,000 military casualties memorialized at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. According to the U.S. census, there are 8.2 million Vietnam-era veterans. Nearly 2.6 million are reported to have served “in country,” making Vietnam vets the largest group of veterans in the United States. It also was the last American war that used a draft to raise necessary personnel.

In that 15-year war, Missouri lost more than 1,400 sons and daughters. Today, thousands of veterans from their mid 50s to mid 70s reside in Missouri.

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