On Monday, June 7, 2009 at 6:45 pm (audience requested to arrive no later than 6:30pm), many of Branson’s best performers will come together to present an unforgettable show that will not only entertain and inspire, but also assist a worthy organization working hard to assist military personnel and their families throughout Southwest Missouri.

The event was originated by Tom Brett of the Brett Family Singers with the assistance of Denise Greeno of Ozarks Kirkwood Tour & Travel.  Dave Hamner and Jim Barber of the Hamner Barber Variety Show are once again hosting the event at no charge to the organization, as they have done every year since it began in 1994.

Admission is only $10.00 Adults and $5.00 Children with 100% of the ticket proceeds going to the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 913.

Performers donating their time and talents for the special event include: The Brett Family Singers, Hamner & Barber, Penny Gilley, The Keatings, Ricky Boen, The Hughes Brothers, Jeerk, The Cat’s Pajama’s and Allen Edwards.

Chris Dodson will serve as emcee and Ambrus Presley will present the national anthem.

Pastor Don Brezavar of Branson’s Church of the Harvest will bring the invocation and the Branson VVA will provide the color guard at 6:45pm.

For advanced reservations call the Hamner Barber Theater at 417-334-4363 or purchase tickets at the theater box office located at 3090 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway in Branson.

Today we received the following email from a Vietnam Veteran on vacation in Branson.  He was very moved by our magical tribute to Veterans and we sincerely appreciate his words…

A few weeks ago, my wife and I took a trip to Branson.  During our stay we went to one of your shows.  We were very impressed by the act, the talent and the overall performance.  However, I have not been able to get the tribute for our military personnel out of my mind.  It was the most moving, original, dynamic and heartfelt performance I could ever have hoped for. 

I served in the USAF for 22 years, 14 were overseas, the reason I stayed there so long was the homecoming I received after my tour in Nam.   I did not feel welcome in my own country any longer, so stayed as long as possible in other countries.  Your performance included the vets of Nam and I was moved.  

The only thing I can say, and it is with all my heart,   thank you.
Johnny Berry MSGT (USAF Ret)

Read more about the Hamner Barber Multimedia Tribute to Veterans

The event is the brainchild of Tom Brett of the Brett Family Singers with the assistance of Denise Greeno of Ozarks Kirkwood Tour & Travel. Together with Dave Hamner and Jim Barber of the Hamner Barber Variety Show, they have hosted the annual event since 1994.

Admission is only $10.00 Adults and $5.00 Children with 100% of the ticket proceeds going to the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 913.

Performers for the special event include: The Brett Family Singers, Hamner & Barber, #1 Hits of the 60s, Clay Cooper, Ricky Boen, Barbara Fairchild, Joi Christensen, Allen Edwards, Wade Landry and Doug Gabriel. The hilarious Tom Mulica returns as emcee and Ambrus Presley will present the national anthem. Pastor Don Brezavar of Branson’s Church of the Harvest will bring the invocation and the Branson VVA will provide the color guard.

For advanced reservations call the Hamner Barber Theater at 417-334-4363 or purchase tickets at the theater box office located at 3090 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway in Branson.

The Beesly’s posted some wonderful comments on their blog site regarding our magical, multimedia tribute to veterans and active military that we performed for the event. It’s the same tribute we exhibit each and every performance of the Hamner Barber Variety Show, however this particular event was made extra special by the participation of hundreds of wonderful Purple Heart recipients in attendence.

Read more about the incredible life of Eddie Beesley by clicking the link below.

Lucky Enough: The Blog

This is the second year in a row that the Hamner Barber Theater has opened the curtains for this important event and this year’s Master of Ceremonies will be the hilarious Tom Mullica performing as Red Skelton.

“Proceeds will be used to assist our military personnel and families deployed to Iraq. This is within the guidelines of the organization’s founding principle ‘Never again shall one generation of veterans abandon another.’ The VVA relies totally on private contributions for its revenue and does not receive any funding from federal, state or local governments. The entertainers are donating their time for this show.

Call 417-334-4363 for advance reservations. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children,” said Tom Brett of the Brett Family, who is organizing the show.

The Branson chapter is one of 525 local chapters of the national non-profit organization with more than 50,000 individual members in 43 state councils. Founded in 1978, the VVA is the only national Vietnam veterans organization congressionally chartered and exclusively dedicated to Vietnam-era veterans and their families. VVA’s goals are to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans. Its first principle is that the organization is measured by deeds and openness as evidence of the core values of justice, integrity, and meaningful achievement.

Among its special programs are government relations advocacy on the range of veterans issues, a national task force for homeless veterans, health care for veterans including disabled veterans, issues pertaining to women and minority veterans, a national scholarship fund and a program providing assistance to veterans seeking benefits/services from the government.

The Veterans Center in Springfield provides assistance with housing, counseling, application for disability compensation, medical care through the VA and assistance to any needy veterans in this area. VVA Chapter 913 meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Golden Corral. Vietnam era veterans are welcome. For more information call 417-479-0799.

“Proceeds will be used to assist our military personnel and families deployed to Iraq. This is within the guidelines of the organization’s founding principle ‘Never again shall one generation of veterans abandon another.’ The VVA relies totally on private contributions for its revenue and does not receive any funding from federal, state or local governments. The entertainers are donating their time for this show.

Call 417-334-4363 for advance reservations. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children,” said Tom Brett of the Brett Family, who is organizing the show.

The Branson chapter is one of 525 local chapters of the national non-profit organization with more than 50,000 individual members in 43 state councils. Founded in 1978, the VVA is the only national Vietnam veterans organization congressionally chartered and exclusively dedicated to Vietnam-era veterans and their families. VVA’s goals are to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans. Its first principle is that the organization is measured by deeds and openness as evidence of the core values of justice, integrity, and meaningful achievement.

Among its special programs are government relations advocacy on the range of veterans issues, a national task force for homeless veterans, health care for veterans including disabled veterans, issues pertaining to women and minority veterans, a national scholarship fund and a program providing assistance to veterans seeking benefits/services from the government.

The Veterans Center in Springfield provides assistance with housing, counseling, application for disability compensation, medical care through the VA and assistance to any needy veterans in this area. VVA Chapter 913 meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Golden Corral. Vietnam era veterans are welcome.