Saluting Old Glory at America's Favorite Small Theme Park, Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri

Although Silver Dollar City is not a real town, the amusement park near Branson, Missouri provides guests with more than just thrill rides, a look at old-time crafts, and family fun. For more than forty years, Silver Dollar City's mission has been to preserve America's past and somehow provides a sense of community that connects visitors together if just for the day. Unlike any other amusement park in the nation, the day at Silver Dollar City - or SDC - begins with a burst of patriotism that brings both a swelling sense of national pride and tears to most eyes.

The park opens for fun at 9:30 am during the summer season but the Square opens earlier so that guests can enjoy breakfast or music on the central stage. About ten minutes before the remainder of the park opens, guests are welcomed with a rendition of the old country tune Company's Coming. Repeat guests often sing aloud with the familiar words of welcome but as the song ends, veterans are asked to step forward. Each veteran, old and young, male and female, is given a red, white, and blue ribbon to wear throughout the day. Veterans are then asked to participate in a flag raising ceremony.

Happy crowds waiting to ride the popular Powder Keg rollercoaster or the long standing favorite Frisco Silver Dollar Line train are moved to make way for the flag detail led by the City's marshal and the veterans. As the flag crew moves forward, guests are asked to remove their hats and to stand for the National Anthem.

As the familiar, poignant strains of The Star Spangled Banner waft through the Ozark mountain air the deputy and one veteran together attach Old Glory to the lanyards before raising the flag high. Veterans in the flag detail often salute and the ages range from senior citizens who proudly served the nation during World War II to young men who have just returned from Iraq. Vietnam veterans and peace time military personnel stand shoulder to shoulder as they salute the flag and our nation.

Silence reigns among the revelers who have come to play but no one protests the pause to reflect on America, on the nation's proud heritage, and to salute our veterans. As the national anthem plays, many lips sing out with the words that celebrate an American victory that Francis Scott Key penned on the back of an envelope so long ago during the War of 1812.. Tears shimmer in the sunlight on more than one face and the moment is solemn, serious, and yet satisfying.

When the national anthem ends and the American flag soars high to the strains of Reveille, wafting in the breeze park, visitors begin to move toward the attractions they came to enjoy but a sense of camaraderie, of pride in a nation that celebrates freedom and an appreciation for those who preserve that for us all lingers.

Silver Dollar City's old-fashioned values, respect for veterans and opening ceremony make it pleasant to play in a place that still salutes the United States as one nation, under God.