Vietnam Peace Accord ceremony

The annual ceremony for the Vietnam Peace Accord sponsored by the Branson Veterans Task Force has been expanded this year to include a dinner in addition to the ceremony at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 27 at Golden Corral, 3551 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, Branson.

Being presented in conjunction with the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 913 of Branson, part of the ceremony will include a special service award presented by the VVA and a guest speaker, Gary Linderer, author, Vietnam veteran and chairman and CEO of Operation Homecoming USA. Dr. Dale Smith, chairman of the board of the Branson Veterans Task Force, will emcee the event with color guard from the Branson High School ROTC, National Anthem sung by Jessica Ahrens and special music by Gene Dove of the Baldknobbers.

“The Branson Veterans Task Force annually sponsors a moving ceremony which marks the day in 1973 when America’s longest and most controversial war came to an end,” said Smith. “The headlines of that day called Vietnam America’s longest war. Signed in Paris at two separate signing ceremonies, the accord was effective at 7 p.m. Eastern standard time on Jan. 27, 1973. Reports referred to the eerie silence under which the cease-fire agreement was signed ‘without a word or a gesture.’ The events that day were called a milestone in achieving peace.”

“Branson Veterans Task Force is big on events and big on making veterans feel appreciated and welcomed. All are welcome to attend this ceremony. Admission to the ceremony is free and dinner is optional,” said Smith.

Branson Veterans Task Force is a nine-year-old non-profit organization working to honor America’s brave soldiers and military personnel year round. The group is instrumental in providing festivities such as the nation’s largest Veterans Day celebration Veterans Homecoming, Independence Day celebrations, patriotic parades, Memorial Day ceremonies and more.

For more information contact: Branson Veterans Task Force Inc., 138 Pointe Royale Drive Suite 0 (The Helms Building), Branson, MO 65615 or call 417-337-VETS.