The Hamner Barber Variety Show in Branson will be honoring all card carrying Veterans and active Military personnel during Branson Veterans Week, November 5th through 11th, 2011. As an additional surprise, attending World War II Veterans will be presented a special NCOA Patriot Medallion of Honor and Remembrance (limited to the first 165 attending) for faithful service on behalf of a grateful Nation.

The popular Branson variety show features the amazing magical illusions of The Hamners and the hilarious vocal comedy of ventriloquist Jim Barber. This weeks show features the best of the Hamner Barber Variety Show in the first half, and their heart-warming holiday production The Wings of Christmas in the second half.

In addition to their award-winning multimedia tribute to Veterans entitled “Thank You’s Not Enough,” this week’s Branson shows at the Hamner Barber Theater will be especially meaningful as Dave Hamner and Jim Barber will be presenting a special Patriot Medallion of Honor and Remberance to all Veterans in attendance who served in World War II between the years 1941-1946.

The beautiful medallions are being presented to World War II Veterans thanks to the generosity of one of their own, a retired Navy Veteran from Ohio by the name of Ray Victor Snapp.

US Navy Veteran Ray Victor Snapp is Sponsoring The Medallions

Mr. Snapp served aboard the USS Pensacola during WWII as a Yeoman 2nd Class. He was 18 years old during the Battle for Iwo Jima and his job duties included manning the telephones that controlled the 22-mm, 40-mm and 5-inch guns aboard the ship.  During the Iwo Jima conflict, the Pensacola was hit hard, resulting in the deaths of 3 officers and 14 men with another 5 officers and 114 men injured.

Mr. Snapp was among the wounded and received the Purple Heart.  In 1969 he lost nearly all of his possessions to fire but since then has amassed a large collection of WWII memorabilia related to his time served.  He often volunteers as a speaker for young school children to educate and encourage them to persue their education.  In his talks he explains to the youth why “Freedom Isn’t Free.”

Even though Mr. Snapp is unable to travel to Branson to present the awards in person, he has entrusted the duty to Dave Hamner and Jim Barber.

Ray Victor Snapp is one of 12 American Heroes featured in the Hamner Barber tribute to Veterans “Thank You’s Not Enough” which is available for preview and purchase at VeteransDVD.com.

 About the Patriot Medallion of Honor & Remembrance

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The NCOA World War II Veterans Medallion bestows the respect and honor of the Non Commissioned Officers Association for military service in World War II. It is presented with dignity and respect to Members of America’s Armed Forces who answered the Nation’s Clarion Call to Duty to military service for heroic virtues displayed under extraordinary circumstances.

A statement of the NCOA website reads, “we made a commitment to honor Veterans of WWII and developed the Medallion Honor and Remembrance Presentation. The intent is to honor these special veterans and give them a truly special moment at a presentation ceremony honoring their military service during the war”.

For more information on this special free event for Veterans and active military call the Hamner Barber Theater Box Office at 417-334-4363.  The theater is located at 3090 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway next to the Victorian Village.

Supplies of the NCOA Patriot Medallion of Honor and Rememberance will be limited to the first 165 World War II Veterans in attendance of the Hamner Barber Variety Show from November 5-11, 2011. First come, first served availability.  Medallions sponsored by Ray Victor Snapp.

The public is invited to attend as live audience members and if they bring a new toy as a donation to a deserving Ozarks area child, Silver Dollar City will give them a free return ticket to attend SDC’s An Old Time Christmas!

The program will air on Fox News Channel this Wednesday at 5:00am Central, 6:00am Eastern.

For more information on the event details, click here.