Life-sized statues of soldiers, each represents an actual World War Two veteran, one from each of the 50-states, are seen at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Branson, Missouri November 9, 2011. REUTERS/Dave Kaup

Robert Blackwell can’t remember how many years he has been visiting Branson during Veterans Homecoming Week.

“Maybe 15,” said Blackwell, a Vietnam veteran from Ottumwa, Iowa. “It’s a nice place to come. Branson honors and welcomes veterans like no other place in America.”

Indeed, Branson, a tourist town nestled in the Ozark Mountains and known for live music, rolls out the red, white and blue for Veterans Homecoming Week, going on now and among the largest veteran’s celebration in the country.

More than 40,000 people attend the numerous patriotic events, which began about 20 years ago.

Source: Suzi Parker for Reuters.