College of the Ozarks to host Fall Patriotic Film Festival honoring Veterans

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — College of the Ozarks invites the community to attend the Fall Patriotic Film Festival, hosted in the Royal Oak Forum of The Keeter Center, Oct. 14 – Nov. 11, 2025. The festival will showcase three feature-length films based on the lives of distinguished Vietnam Veterans — Capt. John Sorensen, Col. John Clark, and Sgt. Maj. Eddie Neas — whose stories embody resilience, sacrifice, and service to country.

Inspired by the book Vietnam 101 by President Emeritus Dr. Jerry C. Davis, each film highlights the legacy of these American heroes as preserved through the College’s Patriotic Education Program. Guests will witness accounts of leadership under fire, perseverance in the face of captivity, and a lifelong commitment to honoring fallen comrades.

“These films are more than history lessons; they are living testimonies of courage and faith,” said Dr. Brad Johnson, president of College of the Ozarks. “We are grateful for the opportunity to share the stories of these Veterans, and for the reminder that freedom is never free.”

Highlights of the festival include:

• Capt. John Sorensen – A Vietnam helicopter pilot who emphasizes leadership, discipline, and the enduring bonds forged in combat.
• Col. John Clark – An Air Force pilot and former prisoner of war at the infamous “Hanoi Hilton,” whose testimony inspires perseverance and faith.
• Sgt. Maj. Eddie Neas – A Marine who fought in the Battle of Hue, carrying the stories of his fallen comrades with humility and devotion.

Festival Schedule:

• Oct. 14, 2 p.m. – Sorensen
• Oct. 17, 2 p.m. – Neas
• Oct. 18, 2 p.m. – Clark
• Oct. 21, 2 p.m. – Sorensen
• Oct. 23, 2 p.m. – Clark
• Nov. 4, 2 p.m. – Neas
• Nov. 5, 2 p.m. – Sorensen
• Nov. 6, 2 p.m. – Clark
• Nov. 7, 10 a.m. – Neas
• Nov. 10, 10 a.m. – Clark
• Nov. 11, 2 p.m. Sorensen; 7 p.m. Neas

All shows will begin at 2 p.m. (doors open 30 minutes prior), with the exception of Nov. 10, which will feature a 10 a.m. showing, and Nov. 11, which will feature both a 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. showing. Guests are also invited to reserve a table for dinner at The Keeter Center, making their visit to Hard Work U. complete.

The Fall Patriotic Film Festival is free and open to the public. No tickets are required; seating is limited.

Groups and motor coaches are welcome and should call (417) 690-2120 for more information. For general inquiries, call (417) 690-2929.

Through these films, College of the Ozarks continues its mission to honor Veterans, educate students, and remind all who attend that the stories of sacrifice must be told, remembered, and passed on to future generations.

For additional information, contact Public Relations Director Valorie Coleman at (417) 690-2212.

About College of the Ozarks

College of the Ozarks is a private, Christian, liberal arts college, located in Point Lookout, Missouri, on a 1,000-acre campus. Christian values, hard work, and fiscal responsibility comprise the fundamental building blocks of the “Hard Work U.” experience. The College earns numerous accolades yearly, including No. 2 Best Performers on Social Mobility-Regional Colleges in the Midwest and No. 4 Best Regional College in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for 2024-2025 and No. 3 Best Bang for the Buck by Washington Monthly, 2024. To achieve its vision, the College pursues academic, vocational, Christian, patriotic, and cultural goals. These goals are mirrored in School of the Ozarks, a laboratory school that completes the K-college model.

The Keeter Center — the College’s award-winning lodge, restaurant, and conference facility — earns awards consistently, including the TripAdvisor Best of the Best Award 2024 for dining, TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award 2025 for lodging, and the and the Readers’ Choice Awards 2024 from ConventionSouth magazine. The Keeter Center features historic lodging, fine dining, and meeting rooms. With more than 350 student workers, it is the largest workstation on campus.