June 14 Ozark Hospitality

This morning started off with the official “Opening Ceremony for the Attendees”. This was held in the enormous theatre of the “Grand Palace” and hosted by Janet Lennon (of the Lennon Sisters). There were a number of impressive guest speakers including the Mayor, the local State Representative, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, all veterans themselves and with warm words representative of the spirit of the gathering. Interspersed with these tributes and presentation were samplers from 7 or 8 of the local professional “shows”. It was great entertainment and reinforced our decision on the shows we were planning on attending during our stay here.

New reunions for us as two more from our Vietnam trip joined our group. Everywhere we go people greet us and others with such warmth and sincerity. This is truly a great event. People, young and old, stop Gary, and all the veterans, on the street to thank them for their service.

Our big adventure today was finding a barber shop so Gary could get his hair trimmed. Military style cut of course but very comfortable on these warm, humid days. I tried to get the barbers to chop mine too but they sent me next door to the beauty shop…perhaps their liability insurance policy was not up to date…who knows.

We took another motorcycle tour of the outlying roads around Branson and enjoyed the views of their lake, that looks more like a river, and the beautiful Ozark Mountains surrounding us.

Considered taking in one of the “shows” tonight but decided tomorrow is another day and we need to recharge our batteries in the meantime.