The Branson community will once again have the honor and privilege of hosting veterans and their families in the days to come during the annual Veteran’s Homecoming Week.
From Thursday, Nov. 5 to Wednesday, Nov. 11, dozens of reunions, ceremonies, memorials, galas and other events will take place across the region as community leaders, organizations and businesses pay tribute to the brave men and women who’ve served as members of the United States military.
The Veterans Homecoming Week Opening Celebration is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 5, at 10 a.m. at the new Branson Police Station. Veterans Day Parade Grand Marshal Navy Captain Maria Lohmyer will serve as the keynote speaker for the event. This event is open to the public. The police station is located at 1 Justice Street in Branson.
Later in the day, at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5, College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout will host a dedication service in Patriots Parks for its new POW/MIA Memorial. Dedication speakers will include Col. John Clark, representing the Prisoners of War community, and Heather Harris with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). This event is open to the public.
At 5 p.m. on Friday Nov. 5, the Bigger, Better Kickoff Show will take place at the Americana Theater. Admission is free and open to all veterans and their families. No reservations are required. The Americana Theatre is located at 2905 W. 76 Country Blvd. in Branson.
The POW Network will host its POW/MIA Service of Remembrance at 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, in the Royal Oak Forum at the Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks.
The 13th Annual Navy Memorial Service, featuring a free bell tolling ceremony, is scheduled from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, at Westgate Branson Woods Resort. The service will take place at the Westgate Grand Pavillon and included biscuits and gravy, coffee and juice; as well as entertainment, door prizes and a keynote speaker. This event is free and open to all. Westgate Branson is located at 2201 Roark Valley Road in Branson.
The Vietnam Veterans Reunion will be hosted on Friday, Nov. 6, at the AmericInn by Wyndham from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event, located at 275 Tanger Blvd. in Branson, will include a hot meal, entertainment, door prizes and a silent auction. To RSVP call 870-421-3511.
Westgate Branson will additionally serve as host for the 10th Annual Medics, Nurses & Combat Vets Mini Reunion at the Westgate Grand Pavillion on Friday, Nov. 6. Attendees of the 2 p.m. event will be treated to refreshments, coffee, door prizes and fellowship. Dr. Steven Vaughn, Army Dust-Off Medic will serve as the keynote speaker.
On Saturday, Nov. 7, Mel’s Hard Luck Diner in the Grand Village is providing breakfast for veterans who served in the Gulf War or after. This Sandbox Party will take place from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and admission is free; but an RSVP is required by calling 870-421-3511. Mel’s Hard Luck Diner is located at 2800 W. 76 Country Blvd in Branson.
At the Westgate Branson Woods Resort, the AUSA Women Veterans Rose Petal Ceremony will take place on Saturday, Nov. 7, at noon. Women vets are free; adults are $12 and children ages 4 to 12 are $6. Call 573-528-5997 to RSVP.
The Sunday Worship Service with Barbara Fairchild is set for Sunday, Nov. 8, at 10 a.m. at the Clay Cooper Theatre, located at 3216 W. 76 Country Blvd. in Branson.
The 30th Anniversary POW Network Military Gala & Banquet will take place from 5 to 11 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8, at Chateau on the Lake in Branson. The event is open to all branches and all eras, as well as the public. Entertainment for the evening will include Dancing with Tom Lavato & Friends, Devin Callahan and Bill Johnson as Bob Hope. Additionally, there will be a Candlelight POW/MIA Service, dinner, Rich & Anna Maria Watson and the cutting of the 251st USMC Birthday Cake. Tickets are $71 each and reservations are required. Call 417-336-4232.
Clay Cooper’s Annual Veterans Show will take place on Monday, Nov. 9, at the Clay Cooper Theatre. The veterans show will be featured in the afternoon after the Hot Rods & High Heels show. Purchasing a ticket to the Hot Rods & High Heels show will reserve attendees a seat for lunch and the afternoon veterans show. Seating for lunch and the afternoon show is not guaranteed if an advance ticket has not been purchased. Ticket and show information can be found here.
At Noon on Monday, Nov. 9, the Ozark Mountain Blue Star Mothers will host Afternoon Dessert at Ingram Hall, located at 178 Saints Street in Branson. This event is open to all Gold, Silver & Blue Star Mothers. To RSVP email jdsfran@aol.com.
On Monday, Nov. 9, the Brothers & Sisters Forever event will be hosted at the AmericInn by Wyndham in Branson. This 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. is for all branches and all era veterans who “don’t fit” into the other scheduled reunions. This includes veterans who served during WWII, Korea, guard and reserves, peacetime, stateside, Panama, Grenda, Kosovo, Bosnia, Lebanon, etc. The event will include coffee, a hot meal, door prizes and a silent action. To RSVP call 870-421-3511.
Also on Monday, Nov. 9, POW Network is doing a fundraiser at Pizza Ranch in Branson from 4 to 8:30 p.m. All tips and 10% sales during this time will benefit the POW Network to help pay for all their events and activities during Veterans Homecoming Week.
Boy Scout Troop 2001 will host a flag retirement ceremony at 6 p.m. in the parking lot of the Branson United Methodist Church, located at 1208 W. 76 Country Blvd. in Branson. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.
The 17th Annual Walmart Tribute to the Veterans Show will be hosted at the Mansion Theatre in Branson on Tuesday, Nov. 10. The pre-show will start at 8:30 a.m., with the regular show starting at 9 a.m. The event, located at 189 Expressway Lane in Branson, will once again be co-hosted by Barbara Fairchild and Roy Morris; and Retired Colonel James Wilhite will serve as the special guest speaker. This event is free to attend. Afterward, the Walmart Tribute Lunch will take place at the Branson Meadows from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Throughout the entirety of Branson Veterans Homecoming Week, from Thursday to Tuesday, Nov. 5 to 10, folks are invited to the Branson Veterans Task Force Veterans Village. The village is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is hosted inside buildings two and three at Ballparks of America, located at 1000 Pat Nash Drive in Branson. Each day from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. there will be a mess hall, which is free to veterans and $10 for non-vets. The village will include 40 vendors, an entertaining dayroom and provides a gathering place for group photos and informal get-togethers.
The Branson IMAX Entertainment Complex will host its 14th Annal Military Film Festival from Friday, Nov. 6 to Tuesday, Nov. 10. Each morning at 8:30 a.m., the complex will show one of five documentaries. Admission is free for veterans and $6 for the public. Films scheduled to be shown include “Patriotic Education” on Friday, Nov. 6, “ROHNA Classified” on Saturday, Nov. 7, “A Promise to My Father” on Sunday, Nov. 8, “Eagles of Mercy” on Monday, Nov. 9, and The Story of Fire Base Kate” on Tuesday, Nov. 10. For additional information on each of the films, the festival or the Branson IMAX visit here.
The Vietnam Replica Wall will welcome visitors at the Branson Police Station daily, 24 hours a day, during Veterans Homecoming Week, from Thursday, Nov. 5 to Wednesday, Nov. 11.
As tradition has it, the final event of Veterans Homecoming Week 2026 is the 94th Annual Veterans Day Parade. Organized by Branson Veterans of America 913, the parade will begin at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, in downtown Branson. Additional information on the parade can be found here.
Updates for scheduled Branson Veteran’s Homecoming Week events and activities, or additional information can be found by visiting the online calendars prepared by Explore Branson, the City of Branson, or the POW Network.
