On Sunday May 30, the Branson Veterans History Project conducted its 999^th and 1,000^th interviews, just in time to commemorate Memorial Day 2010.

Interview subjects were Branson/Springfield area veterans Parke Piper of Hollister, who was a drill instructor for the United States Marine Corps and served in World War II, and his brother Guy Piper of Springfield.  Piper was a Navy Seaman, Second Class stationed at the base on Ford Island when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Piper served in the Navy for 21 years and is also a veteran of the Korean War. He is one of the last remaining survivors of Pearl Harbor in this area.

The Branson Veterans History Project has been capturing the stories of veterans since 2004 as part of the Veterans History Project that was originated by Congress in 2000. Their videotaped interviews are conducted by a skilled interviewer, to capture the most compelling moments of their subjects’ wartime experiences. All interviews are copied and sent to the Library of Congress as well as archived locally at the College of the Ozarks.

Below is a segment of the interview with both Parke and Guy Piper.
Interviewer: Dick Erickson  Camera & Editing: Jim Barber



In honor of Veterans Week, we are proud to feature this interview with a remarkable woman, Colonel Marjorie Merrill. Serving as a Flight Nurse in the Air Force from 1964 – 1994.

Charlene, as her friends call her, continues to remain active in Veterans events and has endeared herself to many Branson folks who annually receive her delicious, homemade fruit preserves.

Related Websites: Veterans History Project – Marjorie Merrill