BRANSON, MO. (www.thearkfoundation.com) - Branson, Mo., the town that honors the nation's veterans every day, is adding to its list of history-making superlatives with the Jan. 20 Veteran's Presidential Inaugural Gala with Mickey Gilley, Fred Travelina, Moe Bandy, Jim Stafford, Doug Gabriel, Joe Tinoco and
Tamara Holden, Amanda, Paul Harris and Joey Riley and a special award presented to Mrs. DeLores Hope on behalf of the Legendary Bob Hope.
To be held at Chateau on the Lake, the event is being billed as a spectacular first-ever, satellite inaugural ball, in honor of the 55th Inaugural celebration and is being held concurrently with the first ever Veterans Presidential Inaugural Ball in Washington, DC. Called "A Celebration of American Democracy," the two events will be simulcast between each location and to Armed Services personnel around the world via the Military Network.
More artists are being added every day to the gala that is being co-hosted by Gilley and Travelina, according to Branson event Producer Rob Franks. The Washington, DC event, hosted by CNN's Larry King and Tony Orlando, includes entertainers Comedian Dennis Miller, Leslie Gore; After 7; and other surprise guests.
In addition to honoring President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney and Mrs. Lynn Cheney, the American Veteran's Pillar of Patriotism Awards will be presented. Through the satellite simulcast, those at Washington, DC gala and the Branson gala will be participating in the presentation of awards to an impressive list of dignitaries.
Among the recipients are business: Fred Smith, President/CEO, Federal Express; communications: Bennett Zier, Regional Executive Vice President, Clear Channel, National Latenight Broadcaster Jim Bohanon; entertainment: Grammy-Award winning recording artist Tony Orlando; homeland defense: Deputy Undersecretary Asa Hutchinson, Edward Badolato, Vice President for Homeland Security, The Shaw Group; world humanitarian: Mary Eisenhower (granddaughter of President Eisenhower); military service: General Colin Powell, Secretary of State of the United States, Former Vietnam POW Steven Long; sports: the Late NFL Arizona Cardinal, Pat Tillman.
Lifetime Achievement Awards will also be presented. In entertainment is CNN Talk Show Host Larry King. Being presented in Branson is the Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifelong dedication to the Armed Services and Entertainment to Mrs. DeLores Hope on behalf of the Legendary Bob Hope. The Lifetime Achievement Award for a Veteran's Service to America will go to the 41st President of the United States George H.W. Bush
Both galas are sponsored by the ARK Foundation, a non-profit organization, founded by Chairman and Executive Director John Gorman to honor veterans and to provide an institution of support and dignity to those Veterans in need. Proceeds from the Gala will go toward the establishment of the National Veterans Hospice, a home for aging, homeless veterans, and veterans battling Alzheimer's.
The foundation plans to establish a number of such facilities around the country, according to Gorman.
The first Veterans Hospice will be named in honor of America's 40th President, Ronald Wilson Reagan. Mrs. Nancy Reagan will be attending the Washington, DC Gala to accept the Award on behalf of the late former President.
For more information go to the ARK Foundation's website at: www.thearkfoundation.com
