Who Are We?
We are a group of volunteers dedicated to maintaining and growing our garden to provide a peaceful space where those who visit can reflect, remember, celebrate and pay tribute to the men and women who have defended our freedoms. We are funded solely through private donations and are dedicated to ensuring the valor and contributions of our veterans are never forgotten.
Our Story
Marine veteran, Master Gardener, and visionary, the late Ben Kinel, while driving by a plot of neglected, overgrown weed-filled land was inspired to turn it into a beautiful garden honoring our nation's Veterans. Through six years of perseverance and countless hours of hard work, the weed patch was transformed with the aid of many volunteer workers into a real show place on a location that has become known as “The Gateway to Branson”.
The Branson Veterans Memorial Garden was founded in 2008 when Kinel secured a long term lease from the owners of the property at Silver Dollar City. He then set about contacting local businesses and individuals, asking for contributions of funding and materials to make the garden a reality.
Thanks to the generosity of several Branson residents who believed Kinel's idea had merit, he was off and running. Landscaping was the first order of business. Located on a hillside, the site needed to be terraced for the planting beds. Truck loads of rock were hauled in and earth moving machines strained to move boulders into place. Donations of large trees were planted. The planting beds were back-filled with topsoil. Huge amounts of fertilizer and compost were added to the beds. Then the perennial plants and shrubs were strategically placed and last came the bedding plants to add color. Later, a watering system was installed to keep everything alive and growing.
Over the years, many minor changes have been made and quite a few new perennial plants have been added. Mulched walkways lead our visitors throughout the garden. Benches are available for those who wish to sit a spell and smell the roses. We also added a water feature, a gazebo and some art work. Each year, new ideas are implemented. The garden is always being improved.
This Veterans Memorial Garden is a gathering place for anyone who wants to remember those who sacrificed so much, and to celebrate the lives of the fathers, mothers, sons and daughters who so
gallantly served to protect our great nation. This Garden is a public statement by the Branson Community to those who live here and to our visitors, to honor and remember the military personnel from all branches of services and from all wars.
Veterans and their families always enjoy the garden. Branson is home to the largest Veterans Celebration in the U. S. The garden has become one of our most visible attractions, not only for Veterans, but also for anyone intrigued by the beauty of nature. We encourage you and your friends to visit us soon.
