The "Avenue of Freedom" displays 1.5 miles of American Flags honoring the sacrifices of America's Veterans.

Long before it became the popular entertainment destination it has become, Branson, Missouri has had a heart for Veterans, active duty members of the Armed Forces and their families. Honoring them is just an inherent part of the Branson spirit. It honors them in a myriad of ways, some big like the annual week long “Veterans Homecoming,” but most are more subtle like the honoring of Veterans at most of its shows, the “Veterans Memorial Garden,” individual businesses sponsoring events such as “Hand-in-Hand Branson Honors Purple Heart Recipients” and the “Avenue of Freedom.”

On a beautiful clear Ozarks day, with a light breeze, one of the most beautiful sights in the Ozarks is the driving under the seemingly endless rows of American Flags flying from the light poles on the meridian of Gretna Road, or more appropriately, that portion of Gretna Road called “The Avenue of Freedom.” On November 14, 2001, the Branson Board of Alderman designated a 1.5 mile portion of Gretna Road, from its intersection with State Highway 248 west toward its intersection with Roark Valley Road, as the “Avenue of Freedom.” The purpose of the designation was “to honor our Veterans from past wars, our heroes who gave their lives for freedom and those who died in the attacks on September 11, 2001.

The “Avenue of Freedom” is a simple memorial consisting of two 3’ x 5’ weather resistant American Flags flying from each of the light poles going down the meridian of the road for about 1.5 miles. The flags are maintained by the Branson Veterans Task Force and are displayed from April 1 through December 22. The flags are taken down in December because of the possibility of extreme weather conditions during the winter months.

The unique thing about the “Avenue of Freedom” is that all the flags and associated maintenance are paid for by donations from individuals and private companies. Individuals or companies can sponsor a flag for $50.00 or make donations of any amount to the Branson Veterans Task Force for the program. They may be contacted by phone at 417-337-8387 or via their website www.BransonVeterans.com.

Signs designating the “Avenue of Freedom” are located in the meridian at each end of the avenue where the display of the flags starts and ends. The combination of all the flags waving over the “Avenue of Freedom” is at the same time a beautiful and inspiring site and yet humbling because of the sacrifices that have been made on the behalf of the country the flags represent and the freedom we all enjoy.

In an effort to enhance the Branson experience through a “bit” of information about the area we love and service, BTC Branson Bits is sponsored by the Branson Tourism Center (BTC). BTC is one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services and sellers of Branson show and attraction tickets and lodging. BTC can be reached by calling 800-875-1550 or by visiting their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Shown, left to right, Paul Miller, General Manager, Branson Tourism Center, Milton and Doris Hughes from Ashland, Kansas and Lianne and Larry Milton co-owners of the Branson Tourism Center.

When Ashland, Kansas residents Milton and Doris Hughes made arrangements for their third trip to Branson little did they know that it would be “the charm,” well actually the two millionth charm. Their first two trips to Branson were via bus tour, but because they were tying their latest to Branson in with a trip to visit family in Arkansas they decided to make their own arrangements for this trip.

When asked how they ended up dealing with Branson Tourism Center (BTC), Milton said they went to the internet noticed all the Branson information and different ticket prices and just decided to call the 800 number [1-800-785-1550] of Branson Tourism Center for help. The phone was answered by Marty Clemence, one of BTC’s trained Branson Travel/Reservation Specialists who answered their questions and provided assistance.

Milton went on to point out that is was so helpful to be able to talk with a human being rather than trying to do it on their own. Doris said, “The human aspect was very important.” As a result of the phone call and the service they received, the Hughes booked three nights at the newly remodeled Baymont Inn & Suites, and six shows including Dixie Stampede, SIX, Oak Ridge Boys, Andy Williams Christmas show, Hughes Brothers with Dinner and Pierce Arrow.

At the time of the booking, neither the Hughes nor Clemence knew they had purchased the two millionth ticket that Branson Tourism Center had sold. The Hughes, to their delight, found that out on the morning of November 4 when they came into the Branson Tourism Center office to pick up their Branson Packet. They were greeted by a celebration as the Branson Tourism Center staff, including owners Lianne and Larry Milton, General Manager, Paul Miller and others enthusiastically greeted them with clapping, balloons and the information that, in honor of the occasion, their entire Branson trip was a gift of Branson Tourism Center.

When the Hughes were asked if they would recommend the Branson Toruism Center to others the answer was an enthusiastic “Yes.” When asked if the answer would be the same if they had not been the two millionth ticket, they said “Yes” and pointed out that they had been dealing with Branson Tourism Center before they got to Branson and found out about the two millionth ticket.

Of the six shows the Hughes are going to see while in Branson, they have been to three before, Dixie Stampede, Pierce Arrow and the Andy Williams and will see three new shows SIX, Oak Ridge Boys, and the Hughes Brothers. Interestingly, when asked which of the shows they were looking forward to seeing the most they replied, “All of them.”

Shown, left to right, Paul Miller, General Manager, Branson Tourism Center, Milton and Doris Hughes from Ashland, Kansas and Lianne and Larry Milton co-owners of the Branson Tourism Center. The Hughes had just been informed they had purchased the two millionth ticket that Branson Tourism Center has sold and that, in honor of the occasion, their entire Branson vacation package was being paid for by the Branson Tourism Center. In addition, the next ten customers checking in to pick up their vacation packets each received a $100.00 Branson Tourism Center Gift Certificate.

With the check-in of Milton and Doris Hughes at its office on the morning of November 4, Branson Tourism Center (BTC) has done something that few, if any, providers of Branson travel services has ever done, sold over two million Branson show and attraction tickets. Although excited about selling two million tickets, the co-owner of Branson Tourism Center, Lianne Milton was equally excited about the way the two millionth ticket was sold.

That excitement stems from the fact that the two millionth ticket was sold the same way Branson Tourism Center (BTC) sold its very first ticket. Lianne said, “Even before our first ticket was sold our philosophy was to build BTC through personal relationships with our vendors and customers to ensure that the customer had a great experience while in Branson. We were going to do that by providing them with the best Branson information, value, and personal travel services.”

She continues, “The fact that we have sold over two million Branson show and attraction tickets by passionately following that philosophy is exciting, not only from the number of tickets sold perspective, but in terms of all the great personal Branson experiences of families and individuals that the sales of those tickets represent.” Milton points out that the relationships BTC has built up with its customers over the years because of that philosophy has played a significant role in reaching the two million ticket milestone.

“But it is a team effort,” she said. “We are so thankful to be able to work with vendors and a staff of professionals who are passionately concerned and committed to each Branson visitor.” Milton explained that Branson has many quality shows, attractions and lodging facilities and the relationships that BTC has built up with them over the years enables them to work together to provide Branson guests with the best value, show seat and lodging choices and customer service.

Milton points out that Branson Tourism Center’s “flag ship” product is a personal, no service charge, concierge type service where potential customers call 1-800-875-1550 and talk with a trained BTC Travel Specialist who will assist them. The website supporting Branson Tourism Center is www.BransonTourismCenter.Com.

She continues to say that another BTC website, www.BransonOnTheWeb.com, is offered as an additional BTC service for those customers who want to make their own travel arrangement on the internet without having to talk with anyone. Milton stresses that even on this site there is a toll free number that may be used to get help and that whether purchasing tickets on line or by phone customers get the same prices, benefits, and personalized customer service for which Branson Tourism Center is noted.

Traffic headed east on portions of the famed Branson Strip (State Highway 76) in Branson from Monday, Oct. 26 through Friday, Oct. 30 should expect a lane change from the east bound lane into the center turn lane during the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) said the rerouting is part of a $680,000 project being funded with stimulus money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment to build 393 sidewalk ramps meeting the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

A drive down Highway 76 the morning of October 26, by a representative of the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected sellers of Branson show and attraction tickets and lodging, indicates that the lane change will cause minimal if any inconvenience to Branson visitors. Currently the project is in the final stages, is located on the south side of Highway 76 east of its intersection with Fall Creek Road and is proceeding eastward towards its intersection with Roark Valley Road. This area is well out of the Branson Strip’s primary theatre and entertainment area.

Although the current location of the project and its hours of operation probably make an alternative route unnecessary, the completion of the Fall Creek Road extension north to its end at the intersection of Roark Valley Road provides a convenient alternate north/south route that will avoid the project area on Highway 76. Exit Highway 65 onto Highway 248 and proceed west to its intersection with James F. Epps Highway at McDonalds. Turn south on Epps and follow it south through its intersection with Roark Valley Road where it turns into Fall Creek Road on the south side of that intersection. Continue south on Fall Creek Road until its intersection with Highway 76. That intersection will be west of the project area.

According to the initial MODOT press releases, the project should be completed by November 20.