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On Thursday, November 10, the Mansion Theater of the Performing Arts welcomed hundreds of veterans and their families to their facility for the 13th Annual Veterans’ Tribute Show.
Returning hosts Barbara Fairchild and Roy Morris welcomed attendees after a flag-raising ceremony and singing of the national anthem led by the Hughes brothers.
The Hughes Brothers also returned to the stage for a set performance before handing it over to Freedom Encounter Theater’s Freedom Tour. The audience also appreciated the vocal talents of Fairchild and Morris, who sang several duets and called on veterans in the crowd.
As part of the morning festivities, the event included a special presentation by Major John T. Schwent, Jr. USMC (Ret.), Founder and Executive Director of Camp Valor Outdoors. As part of his presentation, Schwent shared how his nonprofit in Kingsville, Missouri, helps wounded veterans.
“Many of us struggled when we came back from military service to adjust to society,” Schwindt said. “So sometimes we have to help make that transition, and sometimes it takes years.”
How the organization does it by honoring and honoring sick, wounded, and disabled veterans through adaptive and competitive activities such as guided fishing, hunting, shooting, archery, quad biking, and campfire visits and their families.
Schwent also spoke about one of their newest programs, which focuses on those coming to the end of their military careers.
“We came up with this idea to have 20 active duty personnel retire over the next 6-12 months. We decided to take them on a pheasant hunt in South Dakota. Nice hotel, guides, dogs, commodores, for people with mobility issues Tank chairs, and then we found 20 sponsors; business owners, business leaders, civic leaders who wanted to come to our event. About three hours out of the day we would be out hunting pheasants,” Schwent said. “It’s all about getting these civic leaders and business owners to share with our active military members who will be retiring or leaving the military in the next six to 12 months, and commit to helping them through the transition.”
Schwent added that of the 20 veterans they recruited for this initial program, 18 had no idea what they would do when they returned to civilian life.
“Sadly, a lot of veterans are struggling during the transition. They don’t understand, how do we transfer our skills into the civilian workforce? I was a marksmanship instructor for 23 years,” Schwindt said. “I train people how to shoot and kill people. You know, putting the lead on target. Well, that’s not a very sought-after skill in the private sector, right. It’s not necessarily just a hard skill, it’s team building. I There’s a budget, I’m training the team, I’m in charge of a million dollars worth of equipment and ammunition.”
Schwent concluded by summarizing some of the other efforts Camp Valor Outdoors has been working on in recent years.
“Two years ago, we started building tiny homes for homeless veterans in Johnson County, Missouri. It was another way of making a difference. Four years ago, we also Started Project Bee,” Schwindt said. “Right now we have veterans doing bees in four different states. We provide the bees, we provide the mentors, we provide the boxes, and then we take them out into the fields and teach them how to do it.”
At the end of the show, Walmart managers from around the area took to the stage to meet the audience, and then veterans were invited to lunch at the Branson Events Center.
For more information on the annual Veterans Tribute Performance, visit Veterans Show Website Or about Camp Valor Outdoors visit campvaloroutdoors.com.
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