Order Tickets by phone!
Tickets sales close Nov 5.

Reservations required for dinner and salute. Seating is limited!
417-336-4232

17th Annual Military Gala & Banquet
Saturday, 9 November 2013

Order tickets by mail 2009 photos

2010 photos

2011 pics


16th Annual Military Gala & Banquet
Branson's longest running military salute!
  

Friday
9 November 2012

Saluting

Wounded Warriors
and
Purple Heart Recipients

                                    

Branson Tri-Lakes News, Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Network correction: Col Pritchett served more time in Kuwait and Afghanistan than in Iraq.
Her time in Iraq was not a continuous 30 days - but piecemeal depending on where her troops were.


James "Jim" Lekander, Recipient of the 
"Capt John Koutrakos PATRIOTISM  AWARD"

For his patriotism and dedication to those who served, his priceless gift of time and friendship, and for his patience in fixing albeit teaching, making a future possible.


The Avis Gutz Memorial Award of Excellence,
for leadership, volunteerism and service, above and beyond all expectations. was presented to LTC Patricia A. Pritchett, US Army  (Ret).

This recognition has only been presented 3 times in the past – to Stormy Lynn Snow….  to LTC Jim Rougeau…. and to Ardith Dillard.

     

Chateau on the Lake
415 North State Highway 265

Join us in a spectacular setting as we celebrate Freedom and salute our Veterans
with another unforgettable evening of elegant Dining and Celebration in the Great Hall.
       

Call the Chateau NOW for special room rates for GALA attendees   888--333-LAKE


Emcee:
LCdr Michael Jones, USN (Ret)


President of the Mess:

LTC  James P. Schreffler
Military Science Instructor
College of the Ozarks
  


 
Chaplain: 
Capt "Bill" Robinson, USAF (Ret) - former Vietnam POW



Candlelight POW/MIA Service

The MOSSAR Color Guard team is shown here during the Salute to
Color Guard, SAR Missouri


   
Outdoor Fireworks at intermission
provided by A.M. Pyrotechnics

The classic Chevy truck is a tribute to KIA Phillip Vinnedge who was deployed with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment to Sangin Afghanistan.  On October 13, 2010 Phillip was driving the lead vehicle, an MATV, on a security patrol.  Also in the vehicle were; Lcpl Victor Dew, Lcpl Joe Rodewald and Cpl Justin Cain.  While crossing the Sangin Wadi (dry riverbed) a very large IED was remote detonated, killing all 4 instantly.  The MATV was thought to be resistant to these types of explosives and due to this incident their use has now been limited. The truck will be on display outside the Chateau during the GALA. Phillip's parents will be GALA guests.


AIM BRANSON
A presentation you 
won't soon forget!


Dancing from 5pm - 5:45 and after Intermission.


  • Car to door drop-off or valet parking - easy wheelchair access
  • Cocktail Hour (cash bar) 5:00 pm, coffee available all evening
  • Formal photographs (couples or group) 4:00 pm (optional) 
  • Salute  - doors open to Grand Hall for "dinner call" at 5:50 pm
  • Large 6 foot round tables of 10 
  • Souvenir Program  
  • POW/MIA Candlelight Service 
  • Wine/Non alcoholic juice for military toasts on each table
  • Dinner - Beef and Chicken combination dinner, salad, rolls, potato, vegetable, desert
  • Outdoor Fireworks at intermission
  • Mozark MOAA's True American Hero Award
  • P.O.W. NETWORK'S Patriotism Award 
  • VIP and Sponsors introductions
  • Black Tie welcome, optional Mess Dress, After 5, Tuxedo, Business Suit 
  • Dancing during cocktail hour and after salute.
  • RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

Portraits will be available starting at 4:00 p.m. If you have a group or special needs, please let us know when making your reservations. Group shots will be available BY RESERVATION ONLY for outdoor or daytime/daylight photos.

Branson honored as First Purple Heart City

Branson, Missouri has long been known for its affection for military veterans and for holding one of the nation’s largest week-long veterans celebration in the U.S. each year. In June, 2012, the Military Order of The Purple Heart honored Branson as the first Purple Heart City in Missouri. Branson is already regarded as "The Most Veteran Friendly City in the U.S." The ceremony took place at the Branson City Hall council chambers. The City paid tribute to the nearly 2 million servicemen and women who have been killed or wounded in combat.

 

2012 Sponsors and Supporters


Charter Sponsor
 
College of the Ozarks
 

The Pritchett's
Ozark Chapter
ANONYMOUS DONOR

Seat Our Service Members Sponsors

IN 2011, 39 ACTIVE DUTY/RESERVE PERSONNEL or DISABLED VETERANS
JOINED US FOR THE EVENING THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS 



Hosted by
The P.O.W. NETWORK

 

Feel free to email any questions

Be a sponsor for as little as $100 

 TICKETS  417-336-4232
Dinner Tickets $55.00 each

LIMITED SEATING
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED FOR DINNER AND SALUTE
 - NO TICKETS AT THE DOOR
CALL NOW

The GALA is open to the public - tickets are required.
One need not be a veteran or POW to attend.
Black Tie welcome, optional - Mess Dress, Tuxedo, Business Suit , 
Formalwear, Cocktail Dress, dressy slack suit.

Please, no jeans and tennies for dinner.

Fireworks are outdoors at intermission viewable from just outside the Chateau front doors.

Chateau on the Lake rooms HAVE SPECIAL RATES for GALA guests
888-333-LAKE

 

Branson, USMC, Marine Corps, veterans, POW/MIA, salute, GALA, Army, reunions, fireworks, USAF, Air Force, Navy, soldiers, ball, mess dress  

We reserve the right to refuse seating/ticket sales
to any individual or group.

 

 

 

 

 
POW NETWORK Chairman Chuck Schantag, and wife Mary,  
the past hosts of the Annual Military Gala & Banquet.
Photo courtesy of SWIFTSHOTS, 2009 Gala.
 

 

Home POW/MIA Name Index Bracelet History Remains Returned Yugoslavia Bios GALA
NETWORK History LOVELETTERS Index Return a Bracelet Statistics BOWE BERGDAHL Branson, MO
NETWORK Info Sources Heroes or Villains? What you can do  Russian Memoirs Pilots in Pajamas Links
Donations & Sponsorship Live Sighting Index Shopping Guide China & POWs N Vietnamese Interrogators Contacts
email us More than a Band of Metal.... POW  Remembrance Coin...  Order NOW

Hanoi Jane Fonda