Chapter 913 Welcomes Veterans to Branson

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 913 welcomed veterans from across the country to Branson (Mo.) Nov. 5 for its annual Veterans Homecoming Week. The opening ceremonies were held in front of a quarter-scale Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall purchased by Welk Resorts in 2013.

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Robert A. Marty Marterella was the guest speaker for the event. “I’ve always felt [that] we throw that ‘hero’ title around quite a bit. Heroes give their lives,” he said. “The real heroes of our lifetime of the United States of America are the guys on the wall and the gals on the wall or in the cemetery. These are the real heroes. They made the ultimate sacrifice.”

The event included the placement of wreaths, a flag ceremony, a rifle volley, Taps, and performances from The Lennon Sisters and members of the Million Dollar Quartet. “I’d like to thank Branson for doing this and the Welk Theatre for buying (the memorial wall) and putting it up,” Marterella said. “I think it’s a great deal, and I hope it never ends.”