Veterans

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.-- Several Missouri State musicians will give the gift of music to veterans Sunday afternoon. The prep band and university choir will present their annual "Musical Salute to Our Veterans" concert. It start at 4p.m. on Sunday at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.

For a 15th year, VFW Post 2203 in Shell Knob has decked the hall.  From wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling there's 120-Christmas trees and more than 60-thousand lights. "It's something we do from the heart," James Atkinson, commander of VFW Post 2203 in Shell Knob said. The event takes three weeks to put together with more than 30-people working 960-hours to complete the Winter Wonderland.  Once again this year, the Post welcomes guests from the Missouri Veteran's Home in Mount Vernon.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. --  It was a way to remember the victims of the terrorists' attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and also properly retire American flags.  Veterans gathered at the American Legion Post 639, just off of Scenic Avenue, to pause and reflect on the lives that were lost 10 years ago.  After a moment of silence, Boy Scouts help retire an old, worn out flag. Several exchanges were made to determine that the flag was no longer suitable to be flown.  Then, the men burned the flag in the proper way. "The flag is very important to me.  It means a lot, and a lot of my family members have served and are serving now. So it's a big part of who I am and what I do," said Boy Scout Josh Rogers.

Branson, Missouri - November 3, 2011 - The IMAX Entertainment Complex kicks off Veteran's Week in Branson with a handful of special appearances by veterans or military-inspired authors and with discounts to honor those who have served for our nation. Wednesday, November 9th - AUTHOR BOOK SIGNING Author JULIA DYE will appear at our IMAX Complex from 10:00am - 12:00pm, with her new book, Backbone , which examines the history, traditions and leadership lessons of the US Marine Corps non-commissioned officers.

SPRINGFIELD -- Dozens of bikers braved Saturday's chilly temperatures to help out our local heroes. It was the honor flight poker run. Riders moved from place to place across the Queen City, collecting cards and hoping to have the best hand at the end of the rally. Organizers say it's a fun way to help honor local World War II veterans. The next Ozarks Honor Flight is Tuesday, November 16.

At certain times of the year, we make a point to honor our veterans, but few get the personal thanks that they so richly deserve.  One group in the Ozarks is changing that, one deer hide at a time. BRANSON, Mo. -- You may pick up some new gloves with the start of the winter season.  Be they five or ten dollars, it's no big deal.  Some gloves speak for the heart, however. "The Elks have a saying, and this is very important to us, 'As long as there are veterans out there, they'll never be forgotten,'" said Nathan Brooks with the Lake Taneycomo Elks Lodge.

BRANSON, Mo -- There was an emotional meeting this week between two World War 2 veterans and the students who sent them to see their memorial in Washington, D.C.  Kids at Branson Elementary West raised more than $1,000 for Ozarks Honor Flight. Explaining what veterans did in World War 2 to elementary students isn't an easy task. "It is something at this age level that is difficult to understand," said Branson West Elementary teacher April Mulnik. That didn't stop Branson Elementary West students from helping send two veterans on an Ozarks Honor Flight.

Tuesday is the final chance of the year for local World War II veterans to see their memorial in Washington, DC. Thanks to community donations , the Ozarks Honor Flight has flown a total of 532 veterans to see the memorial. 400 are still on the waiting list. It will take pproximately $375,000 to get the rest of the veterans to their memorial. Flights will pick back up in April of 2011. There are enough veterans to do five more flights, but applications are still welcome.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Another planeload of World War II veterans just returned from an Ozarks Honor Flight and are reveling in the memories of their trip. The World War II  Memorial is a history book in stone. Its circular granite columns and towering pavilions embrace those who made that history. Recalling the D-Day invasion, where the survival rate was three seconds, was real hell to Army Pvt. Jack Miller who followed that awful first wave. "The most carnage I've ever seen.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - About 80 World War II veterans and the people who traveled with them toWashington, D.C., on Tuesday are reveling in the memories of the latest Ozarks Honor Flight.  Just before the flight back to Springfield, a few of them reflected on a special day. ---- Editor's note: This video by Robin Yancey includes interviews with veterans Joe Constantino, Charles Davis Jr., Artie Ayers, Poss Jackson, and Clarence Curtis; and...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Ozarks Technical Community College and the Community Foundation of the Ozarks finalized a plan for a new loan program to help veterans with the cost of pursuing higher education.  The Veterans Loan Program lets veterans apply for interest-free loans to help with living expenses while they are enrolled at OTC. “Due to the large number of veterans enrolled at OTC and applying for their government benefits, the payment of those benefits can be delayed,” said Community Foundation of the Ozarks President and CEO Brian Fogle.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.-- The first-ever observance of Vietnam Veterans Day in Missouri will be held on Saturday, March 30, as a day to give special recognition to veterans of the Vietnam conflict. Last summer, Gov. Jay Nixon signed into law a bill designating March 30 of each year as the day to give special honor to Vietnam veterans. As part of the recognition, the Governor will hold a ceremony at his Capitol office recognizing four military veterans, one each representing service in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.

BRANSON, Mo. -- The Veterans Boulevard Bridge is scheduled to be closed at 9 a.m. on Monday, April 1.   The bridge over Roark Creek is just south of Cox (formerly Skaggs) Hospital. The closure is so a contractor can complete needed maintenance and rehabilitation of the structure.  This is the third major rehabilitation for this bridge, which was built in the 1930s.  A contract for $378,215 was awarded to Lehman Construction.   In April 2012 the Board of Aldermen heard a presentation from the city's design consultant on options for the bridge repair.

WAYNESVILLE, Mo -- It's a success story in Pulaski County. The Veterans Court launched in July, and it started receiving its first participants in October. The goal of the court is to put more emphasis on treatment and rehabilitation rather than punishment. So far the program is working. "The amount of success and progress that we see during the short period of time," said Veterans Justice Outreach Coordinator Danielle Easter, "a year to 18 month program, is phenomenal. " "We view this court as a partnership with our local communities, with our military, and our veterans administration," said Pulaski County Veterans Court Judge Colin Long.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Pastor Aaron Brummitt has been ticketed nine times, and figures he'll get more, for something he says he has permission to do.  He's a preacher on a portable pulpit, and perceives he's being persecuted. Every Friday night, you can head downtown and you will see and hear Brummitt.  He pastors a Baptist church by day and has a street ministry by night.  He believes he's on mission from God that's in jeopardy,  along with his free speech. "Tonight we want to preach on the love of Christ," said Brummitt through his bull horn last Friday.  He's been taunted, laughed at, and knocked down.

Branson, Mo.-- VIETNAME ERA RESTORED HUEY HELICOPTER TO LAND AT THE BRANSON MILL The public is invited to view the “workhorse” of the military. (Branson, MO)  The Branson Mill Craft Village will play host to a restored Vietnam Era Huey Helicopter on Saturday, February 23 at 11a.m.  The restored helicopter is making a journey from Peru, Indiana to Las Vegas, Nevada.  Branson will be the first of three stops made by the Huey.   The American Huey Organization is making this national trip to raise awareness of the Huey and its museum being built in Indiana.

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Experts say the weather-related deaths of an Air Force veteran and two young sons during a Missouri hike illustrate the need for simple precautions that could avert similar tragedies.  Authorities say experienced hiker David Decareaux and two of his boys, ages 10 and 8, of Millstadt, Ill., weren't equipped for the elements when they set out Saturday on the Mark Twain National Forest's Ozark Trail in light clothing.        The temperatures plunged through the day and overnight, before their bodies were found Sunday morning on the trail.  Officials and experts say hikers should never take weather for granted and should dress in layers, taking more food and other supplies than they actually may need.  The Decareauxes will be buried Friday near St. Louis.

BRANSON, Mo. -- Emotions and memories were being stirred for Branson visitor Michael Juhola, who served proudly served our nation. "In Vietnam, 1966-68," he said. On Thursday, he was getting an up close look at the faces and stories of our nation's war heroes at the Veterans Memorial Museum. "I guess they are talking about closing this place down or something.  It would really be a shame," Juhola said. Indeed, the future of the historic treasures in the museum isn't so certain right now.  Everything could soon be gone.

MARSHFIELD, Mo. - People in one Ozarks county are giving a free wellness screening to veterans today. The Webster County Health Unit will check blood pressure, cholesterol and body mass index of any active or non-active service member. The screenings start this morning at 7:30 and will take place through the rest of the week. The health center is at 233 Washington Street in Marshfield.

ST. ROBERT, Mo.-- It's hard enough for anyone to find a job right now, but veterans just getting out of the military are having a tougher time than most.  For army veteran Kristner Roper, the job search and just collecting unemployment have both been a struggle.   She's trying to transition back to civilian life after serving eleven years in the U.S. Army. "I felt like I wanted to give back to the country," Roper says. But like many veterans, she's found that transition difficult.  "I fill out applications, but it's no calls, and I don't know if they're discouraged because we're military an they just think like all military people have been to Iraq and Afghanistan and they think we're crazy or something," Roper says.