Operation Homecoming 2006 Announcement

[Jerm]

This was reported in today's Branson Daily News.

:):)

http://www.bransondailynews.com/articles/2005/11/19/news/news1.txt

[Suselit]

Country stars make plans to be at Vietnam homecoming

By Cliff Sain
BDN Staff Writer


Country acts Aaron Tippin and Montgomery Gentry will be among the stars in Branson next summer for a Vietnam War veterans' event, it was announced Friday.

A press conference was held by Operation Homecoming Branson, the organization orchestrating the second Branson tribute specifically for Vietnam veterans. Gary Linderer, president of Operation Homecoming Branson, and a founder of last June's event, said the pair of country stars would take part in a “Heartland Benefit Concert,” a two-day event June 17-18 that will finish off Welcome Home 2006, a weeklong event. The similar event held last year drew an estimated 28,000 veterans to Branson, Linderer said.

“We felt it should be more than a one-time event,” Linderer said.

This year's event will begin June 11 with a dedication ceremony of a traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall at Mansion America Theatre. Several events that tentatively will occur during the week include a fishing tournament, golf outing, Native American Powwow, Sky Soldiers Air Assault demonstration, helicopter rides, an American Patriotism Awards ceremony, and, finally, the Heartland Benefit Concert.

Operation Homecoming Branson Executive Producer Rob Frank said there are other big-name entertainers lined up for the concert, but that, because of contractual agreements, those names cannot be released until later dates.

"We are working with the biggest entertainers," Frank said. "We will have more than country music. We will have actors, comedians and Vietnam-era bands, just as we did last year."

June's event was put on by Operation Homecoming USA, which was founded by Linderer. Starting in July, Linderer began planning for the 2006 event. Among the first things he did was to found a new company called Operation Homecoming Branson. He said the proceeds from this year's event will be donated to charities that assist active veterans.

"This year's theme is Vietnam veterans supporting their brothers and sisters in Iraq and Afghanistan," Linderer said.

Frank said a deal has been worked out to televise the concert, which will be shown at a later date as a fund-raiser.

Linderer said Branson has the chance to build on last year's event, which he said left so many veterans feeling better.



"We've started something no other community can," Linderer said. "The veterans noticed this last year. Help us make this special this year. Never again should we, as a nation, blame the warriors for a war."




Story created Nov 18, 2005 - 17:11:38 CST.

[s_brown77]

Where & when can we get tickets? How much?

[loves2fish]

Not yet publicly known, but predict Garth & Tricia too.

[SweetSue]

We were there for last year's events, and it was really great! We didn't go to the concert, but we may this year. The parade was something! I wanted to take a ride in the Huey, but I didn't have that much cash with me. I will take enough this time; I really would enjoy doing that. It was $40 (I think) last year per person. I rarely take much cash because we use credit cards everywhere we can; we feel it is much safer. I'll have to remember to take greenbacks with me.

[MrMusic]

My wife and I went to last year's concert, too - actually WORKED our way to it by volunteering for well over 24 hours! It was great! She is ex-Air Force; I'm just ex-farm boy from Kansas! Anyway, I gained a whole new outlook and respect for our servicemen and women. Even met a guy I knew back in Kansas and didn't even know he was a vet, let alone a Viet Nam vet! He was a Frito Lays routeman when I knew him, and now sells cars. Anyway . . .

If I recall, the cost was more like $75 for the all-day Saturday event. Well worth it, though, whatever the cost. The concert was great, overall. I even got to meet some of the Doobie Brothers afterwards!

Will be anxiously awaiting further news on who's going to be here - we'll probably be gone, but might make the trip and volunteer again!

Mr Music