Veteran's Memorial Museum in Branson, Missouri
The Veterans Memorial Museum of Branson is a unique military museum that profiles the wars and conflicts that took place during the 20th century, including World Wars I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War.
This museum was the brainchild of Mr. Fred Hoppe, a Nebraska native who was moved by the stories told to him by his father and his father’s fellow soldiers, all of whom fought some of the toughest battles of World War II. A collector of military artifacts, Hoppe designed and funded the museum and wrote the scripts that accompany the more than 2,000 items that are part of the Veterans Memorial Museum’s permanent collection. Turned down for funding by a number of corporations, Hoppe completed the museum on his own in 10 months and opened the doors in November 2000 on, appropriately, Veterans Day. On opening day, Hoppe – an internationally-known sculptor – proudly displayed the centerpiece of the museum, a 50-statue bronze sculpture that measures 70 feet long and depicts a platoon of World War II soldiers running down the beach. Hoppe’s father was the model for the lead soldier.
The Veterans Memorial Museum includes ten halls full of artifacts, information, documents, photos, and more. Visitors will also view sculptures, murals, and other objects of fine art in each of the rooms, including a recently added painting of the famed Tuskegee Air Men by artist Mike Hagel. On the walls of the various halls are the names of the individuals who were killed in action during each of the wars.
The World War I room, the first gallery one encounters as they enter the museum, includes what Hoppe describes as “trench art”, including unique ash trays and lamps made of shell casings. The World War II room, truly the centerpiece of the museum due to Hoppe’s personal connection to the war through his father, includes a display on carrier pigeons, a bust of the Navy’s youngest pilot – George H.W. Bush, and an enormous display of rifles from various manufacturers. A more light-hearted gallery is the “Spoils of War” exhibit, which includes the hairbrush of Eva Braun (Hitler’s longtime female companion and, briefly, his wife) and a silver tea set garnered from a Hermann Goering, a leading member of the Nazi Party who was convicted during the Nuremburg Trials as well as several other interesting pieces.
Many of the items in the 12,000 square foot museum were donated by veterans from all over the U.S. and their families, and many veterans compiled their personal stories for use at the museum. Guests can view original uniforms, equipment, and many other items that were used in the thick of battle and survived to tell a story. As a matter of fact, museum curators say they currently have more donated items then they can handle or display, so they’re not accepting more artifacts or documents at this time.
The Veterans Memorial Museum of Branson is open daily year round with extended evening hours during the summer months. The museum is located on the Strip and is easily recognizable by the large P-51 Mustang Fighter that is perched on a pole outside the entrance. A small gift shop is located onsite, with proceeds from sales benefiting the museum.
Useful Links:
http://www.veteransmemorialbranson.com/
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