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 The past few weeks has been very busy for me with USA Patriotism! starting
with my wife and I attending Branson Veterans Week again this year. We
spent the entire week there at the invitation of the
Branson Chamber of Commerce
. . . and really appreciate seeing the many friends we now have in this very
patriotic minded community nestled in the heart of America.
Being able to meet veterans of all generations is something very special . .
. Nor are there many more years to be able to have the honor of meeting veterans
of World War II and the Korean War at their respective events with many having
served in both. Shaking the hands of our Greatest Generation veterans is
very special on many levels and is proud reminder of my father and father-in-law
being one of them.
 And
while I could go on about meeting Vietnam War era veterans and the younger
veterans after them through the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan . . . I invite you
to see the video,
Experiencing
Branson Veterans Week.
This video covers visits in 2009 and 2010 by wife and me to Branson, MO
during its Veterans Week (November 5th - 11th) ... which is the largest and
longest show of support, pride, and thanks to America's honorable veterans. I
hope you take a few minute to see a glimpse of veterans of all generations
including the dwindling ones of our Greatest Generation. There is also a tribute
to the fallen of World War II through Iraq and Afghanistan along with those who
died in the terrorists attacks on September 11, 2001. You will also see many of
performers who gladly show their support performing at veteran events and at
their respective shows. (Some are friends too.)
And you will beam with pride as you watch third graders saying the Pledge of
Allegiance.
There were several other special times during Branson Veterans Week
including...
 Meeting
Gold Star parents of sons who are on the heart touching, inspiring
Lost Heroes Art
Quilt by Julie Feingold. A
larger
photo to the one here is in the
Experiencing
Branson Veterans Week video with several other photos . . . and is part of the
tribute to the fallen. Their sons are among the 82 fallen heroes reflecting the
diversity of America – 50 in the center of the Quilt representing each state in
the U.S. and 32 around the border.
A photograph and poignant words describing
each hero's unique personality, interests, dreams and hopes appear around each
hero's square on the Quilt, permanently memorializing each life.
 Meeting
Sergeant First Class Bryant Fowle and U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Robert Henline at
the opening ceremony.
A
larger
photo of these two heroes and me are in the
Experiencing
Branson Veterans Week video with a narration of their story.
  Meeting
FDNY Firefighter Trey Piazza during the display of
The National 9/11 Flag
in Branson where a portion of a retired flag provided by the city of Branson
became part of this venerable historic flag.
The
Experiencing
Branson Veterans Week includes The National 9/11 Flag in a
tribute to the fallen. You can also see the
video
of Piazza and me joining fellow patriots including troops and veterans in the
respectful and honored folding of the flag for transport to its next U.S.
destination. (The video ends with the Oak Ridge Boys performance of their great
patriotic song, Colors, as the flag is being folded.)
 The National 9/11 Flag
represents the resilience and compassion of the American people. It is our
generation's Star-Spangled Banner . . . Destroyed in the collapse of the World
Trade Center on September 11 and stitched back together seven years later by
tornado survivors in Greensburg, Kansas, The National 9/11 Flag is a living
testament to what the American spirit is all about.
 Did
you see the movie "Saving Private Ryan", starring Tom Hanks? It is one of
my favorite war movies, as it showed what Americans will do for each other . . .
even under severe combat conditions . . . placing another above self due to
circumstances like the one about this movie. Well, my wife and I met the son
(Pete) of one the four Niland brothers who are the ones why "Saving Private
Ryan" was filmed. He was at the
College of the Ozarks accepting an honor on
behalf of his father, three uncles, and their families. Pete Niland also
talked about the real story behind "Saving Private Ryan" and read a very
heartfelt emotion evoking letter that his dad (Bobby) wrote to his mother
(Pete's grandmother). Then a World War II veteran followed Niland . . .
and who recounted a firsthand story from a chaplain who was with the Niland
brother (Fritz) who is the real Private Ryan . . . learning about the deaths of
his brothers. I urge you to see Pete Niland reading the letter and the
WWII veteran telling the story in the compelling video...
Real
Story About 'Saving Private Ryan'. I also think you would enjoy the videos
of...
Pierce Arrow's "bravo" performance of the
wonderfully written song,
Banner of
Liberty
It was filmed during the Branson Veterans Week opening ceremony on
November 5, 2010. And with Pierce Arrow's management permission the video
was uploaded to the USA Patriotism! YouTube channel and then added to USA
Patriotism! I think you will understand why these four talented signers
received a standing ovation from the audience comprising of over a 1,000
veterans, loved ones, and supporters.
World War II reenactment of American soldiers encountering German snipers
The realistic reenactment occurred on the grounds of the
College of the Ozarks after the World War II Veterans reunion. In 2007 and 2008 approximately 150 reenactors
were involved in larger reenactment battles for the public. Hopefully,
similar size reenactments will occur when economic conditions allowed.
My
presentation to the chairman of the Branson Veterans Task Force and the
reading of my Veterans poem
It was during the Veterans Week closing
ceremony on Veterans Day where over 1,500 veterans, loved ones, and
supporters were in the audience. | 
