Armed Forces Day, a tradition of heroes, will be commemorated in Branson on Saturday, May 19, at 9:45 a.m. in the fountain area at Branson Landing with Col. Steve Danner of Hollister as the guest speaker. Branson Veterans Task Force (BVTF) sponsors the hour-long ceremony.
WWII veteran Gene Bryon of the First Presbyterian Church of Branson will join Danner. Bryon will lead the invocation. Participating in the ceremony are the Branson High School ROTC, Branson Landing’s bagpiper Jason Gunn and the Branson Landing Fountain performance of the Star Spangled Banner, according to David Porter. Porter is a member of the board of directors of the BVTF and chairman of the event.
Porter said, "I am delighted at the support from Branson High School ROTC and Branson Landing. I am also pleased Col. Danner has agreed to serve as our guest speaker. He is an outstanding example of service to his country."
An Army veteran and a former Missouri state congressman, Danner served in the regular Army from 1972 through 1974, as a combat engineer. Danner entered the Missouri National Guard in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps and served from 1981 to 1999, his last duty assignment being Deputy Chief of Staff for special projects. Danner served in the Army Reserve from 2000-2001 following which he returned to the Missouri National Guard. He is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College, where he received a Master of Strategic Studies and a Military Education Level One certificate. Danner served as Commander of the 140th Regiment (RTI) at Fort Leonard Wood, 2002-2004, until his appointment as Assistant Adjutant General State of Missouri, where he served as senior advisor to the Adjutant General and a member of the Missouri Military Council and the Career Management Board.
Danner was called to active duty in support of the Global War on Terrorism in June of 2005. During Operation Iraqi freedom Danner served as the Command Judge Advocate, 35th Area Support Group, the Garrison command of Camp Anaconda, the largest Army/Air base in Iraq. Danner was awarded the Bronze Star in recognition of his actions in support of US military combat operations. Upon his return, Danner was assigned as the State Judge Advocate, Joint Force HQ Missouri Army National Guard.
A national observance to honor Americans serving in the five services including the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard, Armed Forces Day is recognized annually on the third Saturday in May. Armed Forces Week begins on the second Saturday of May and ends on the third Sunday of May, the day after Armed Forces Day. Because of their unique training schedules, National Guard and Reserve units may celebrate over any period in May.
President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to thank the military members for their patriotic service to their country. In a speech in 1950 announcing the formation of the day, Truman said, "It is vital to the security of the nation and to the establishment of a desirable peace."
About Armed Forces Day 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower said, "It is fitting and proper that we devote one day each year to paying special tribute to those whose constancy and courage constitute one of the bulwarks guarding the freedom of this nation and the peace of the free world."
"Our Armed Forces and our national defense system represent a judicious investment of the nation’s resources in the cause of peace. The return on this investment, in terms of national strength, shows the determination of the American people to preserve our way of life and to give hope to all who seek peace with freedom and justice," said the Honorable Neil McElroy, former Secretary of Defense, in 1959.
President John F. Kennedy in 1962 said, "…Word to the Nation: Guard zealously your right to serve in the Armed Forces, for without them, there will be no other rights to guard."
This Armed Forces Day ceremony is just one of many community service projects supported by the BVTF and its partners. The BVTF’s largest event is Veterans Homecoming in November. The Task Force works to promote an environment of patriotic pride and dignity to recognize and honor the America’s veterans and their families. For more information contact: Branson Veterans Task Force Inc., 138 Pointe Royale Drive Suite 0 (Helms Building), Branson, MO 65615 or call 417-337-VETS.