Branson Veteran's Week Connie Stevens Special Guest

A person does not need to be a veteran or a woman to participate in Women Veterans Week in Branson May 14-20, only have a desire to honor the contribution women serving in the military have made to their country, according to organizers of the third annual event. A myriad of activities such a Rise and Shine with the Army All Women Combo Band, a performance by the Dixie Land Jazz Band of the Missouri National Guard, golf tournaments and a banquet featuring veterans advocate, actress and USO show veteran Connie Stevens are just part of the week that honors women veterans. "Because of Women Veterans Week and the way Branson has always welcomed veterans two women veterans' reunions are being held in conjunction with and in cooperation with our event," said Mary Slivka, chairman of the Women's Veterans Committee that is organizing the week's activities. "The U.S Army Women's Foundation Reunion and the National Association of State Women Veterans Coordinators Eighth Annual Conference are joining us – making this our biggest event ever." "Always voluntary, the service, contributions and sacrifices of women veterans have been vital in defending the freedom and way of life enjoyed by all," said Slivka. The Women's Veterans Committee, a subcommittee of the Branson Veterans Task Force, was instrumental in establishing the week first celebrated in 2005 as Women Veterans Week by proclamation of the Mayor of Branson. "In this city that honors veterans every day, it is important to recognize the 1.2 million American women have served in the armed forces, with more than 35,000 of them from Missouri," said Slivka who herself is a veteran. "Since the American Revolution when women served on the battlefield as nurses, water bearers, cooks, laundresses and saboteurs, thousands of women paid the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives while serving in the armed forces." Motion picture, television and Broadway star, recording artist, business professional, filmmaker and humanitarian, Stevens not only will be the guest speaker at the banquet at the White House Theatre on May 19, but also will be attending many of the week's activities. Among those events are a miniature golf tournament at Grand Country Square and visits to the Titanic and America's Presidents museums. A scenic guided motorcoach tour of the Ozarks will include a visit to the College of the Ozarks and Stone Hill Winery. The group will attend command performances of the Branson Brothers with Doug Gabriel and The Dalena Ditto County Variety Show along with Justin Flom's Magic Parlor. Other events include daily Hospitality and Welcome Center at the host hotel, the Settle Inn, a Meet and Greet Reception and a Rise and Shine with the Army All Women Combo Band. An All About You exposition will feature information, beauty products, books and much more. "Because of her work for veterans Ms. Stevens has been honored by the Vietnam Veterans Association of America and has received The Decoration for Distinguished Civilian Service from the United States Armed Forces, the highest honor that can be given to a civilian. Many will remember her as having toured with Bob Hope around the world with the USO, at every major base, numerous hospitals and military venues. She has given of her time whenever needed from Korea to Vietnam to the Persian Gulf. She is one of Veterans Across America's all time favorites," Slivka said. As a film maker, Stevens produced and directed "A Healing," an award-winning feature film documentary dedicated to the women, and the young warriors they attended to, who served in the U.S./Vietnam conflict. "A Healing" follows a three-week reunion journey through Vietnam of 100 women in 1995, who served in this conflict three decades ago. Proceeds from the film are given to several veterans' charities http://www.bransonmissouri.blogspot.com