One local veterans group disbands, another is born
Veterans and their spouses filled the dance floor on Sat., Feb. 20, in the lower level of Landry’s in Branson for a Valentine’s party hosted by the Veterans of the Ozarks. This was the first event held for the VOTO members.
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Cole and Courtney Wood are the two newest and youngest members of Veterans of the Ozarks. They are both veterans of the U.S. Navy. They met while serving on the same ship.
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February 25, 2021
Cindy Hembree
Last April, the board of Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1119 in Kimberling City voted to dissolve the organization. Leaders cited a few reasons for the move. The group was concerned about their members being able to afford the national organization’s monthly dues and how they had chosen to spend their money. Member numbers have declined over the years, with the average age of the youngest Vietnam vets now being 60 years old. The board knew it would only be a handful of years before those numbers would not sustain the organization.
After the vote, the former group’s members formed a new veteran’s organization named Veterans of the Ozarks, focusing on veterans and active-duty military members of all ages and branches of services. Newly elected president George Pezoid said younger veterans are often overlooked since many area veterans groups center on older generations. Pezoid hopes to change that.
With suicide rates among veterans rising, the newly organized Veterans’ initiative is to foster camaraderie among its members. “[As veterans], we have to keep going because we promised them we would,” Pezold stated.
Veterans of the Ozarks is a non-profit entity. They will Music on the Lake and an annual golf tournament. Music on the Lake is a free concert held every other Saturday evening during the summer months. They are also planning additional fundraising efforts throughout the year.
There is a one-time fee of $50 to become a lifetime member of this fellowship. For more information, call 417-230-7571 or send an email to chaptervoto@outlook.com.
Cindy Hembree
Last April, the board of Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1119 in Kimberling City voted to dissolve the organization. Leaders cited a few reasons for the move. The group was concerned about their members being able to afford the national organization’s monthly dues and how they had chosen to spend their money. Member numbers have declined over the years, with the average age of the youngest Vietnam vets now being 60 years old. The board knew it would only be a handful of years before those numbers would not sustain the organization.
After the vote, the former group’s members formed a new veteran’s organization named Veterans of the Ozarks, focusing on veterans and active-duty military members of all ages and branches of services. Newly elected president George Pezoid said younger veterans are often overlooked since many area veterans groups center on older generations. Pezoid hopes to change that.
With suicide rates among veterans rising, the newly organized Veterans’ initiative is to foster camaraderie among its members. “[As veterans], we have to keep going because we promised them we would,” Pezold stated.
Veterans of the Ozarks is a non-profit entity. They will Music on the Lake and an annual golf tournament. Music on the Lake is a free concert held every other Saturday evening during the summer months. They are also planning additional fundraising efforts throughout the year.
There is a one-time fee of $50 to become a lifetime member of this fellowship. For more information, call 417-230-7571 or send an email to chaptervoto@outlook.com.