Hannah Emberton
PARSONS —On Saturday, Dec. 13, Parsons recognized its second Wreaths Across America event at Oakwood Cemetery. Despite bitter winds and cloudy skies, community members gathered to honor those who fought for their country.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Brown-Bishop Post 704’s honor guard was present, “It’s an honor for Brown-Bishop post 704 to be a part of this,” Commander Don Burris said. “I’m glad we’re part of this in the community, and that the organizers are putting this on. It brings recognition to the Wreaths Across America events going on all across the nation.”
Burris said he has been involved in various Wreaths Across America events for seven years.
Jonna Gabbert, a member of the Parsons Historical Society and location coordinator for the local Wreaths Across America program, welcomed attendees and introduced the first speaker, Dave Mattox.
Mattox is another historical society member and a member of the Historic Oakwood Cemetery Improvement Committee.
“For me, Oakwood Cemetery is a special place, because this is where all the earliest settlers and businessmen, and leaders of Parsons are buried, and among them are a lot of Civil War veterans,” Mattox said.
Mattox said there were around 370 Civil War veterans buried in the cemetery, with the bulk of them being in the Grand Army of the Republic sections, which were built from 1886-1913 in increments.
He noted that the east circle has been repaired, along with a retaining wall at the front of the cemetery and sidewalks.
Mattox said the next project would be repairing the dome. The committee also wants to build a base for the sign highlighting that Oakwood Cemetery is on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as a new sign at Leawood and Main.
“These circles here were built to honor the Civil War veterans, and so I think it’s only fitting that we are here today to honor them by placing the wreaths.”
Gabbert then spoke about the veterans in her family, beginning with her father, a Vietnam veteran, and her grandfather, Art Schneickert, who served in the Navy.
“He was a prisoner of war during World War II for 42 months. That was in the Philippines,” Gabbert said. “He joined the Navy when he was 17, and was stationed in Manila Bay, about three years before war was declared.”
She noted that for eight months, his parents had no clue whether he was dead or alive, after receiving notice that he was missing in action.
“We have some younger high school students here, and I also have a 16-yearold son. I can’t imagine them being a young adult in their early 20s, and being a prisoner of war for three and a half years,” Gabbert said. “The unimaginable things our veterans have gone through is why we honor them on Veterans Day, for those who used to wear the uniform, or on Memorial Day, for those who never made it out of the uniform.”
Gabbert said the men and women in military service have sacrificed their time, comfort, health, and ambition for the peace and safety of family, friends, their fellow Americans, and people they have never known.
“These remembrance wreaths are just a small way that we can thank and honor the veterans for their service,” Gabbert said.
Gabbert said she was inspired to bring Wreaths Across America to Parsons, as her uncle was involved with the country’s largest Wreaths Across America Event at Arlington National Cemetery.
Gabbert noted that through the end of December, Wreaths Across America will match funds raised through individual sponsor groups for 2026 Wreaths Across America Day, which will be Saturday, Dec. 19.
People can also get involved by donating their time to place the wreaths on veteran graves.
During the ceremony, a moment of silence was observed to remember fallen soldiers, prisoners of war, those who are missing in action, and those who have and are currently serving in the nation’s armed services.
Members of the Brown-Bisop VFW Post 704 honor guard participate in the second annual Wreaths Across America event at Oakwood Cemetery in Parsons. Hannah Emberton | Tribune Photo
Retired First Sergeant Henry Gatewood was recognized by name. Gatewood died last month, and Gabbert said he was instrumental in the first Wreaths Across America event in Parsons last year.
Don Burris and the honor guard led the Pledge of Allegiance before John Smith played “Battle Hymn of the Republic” on the harmonica.
“This year, at participating locations like this one, there are millions of Americans gathering safely as on to remember, honor, and teach. The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price. Lying here before us, and in the cemeteries throughout this nation, are men and women who gave their lives so we can live in freedom and without fear,” Gabbert said. “Today more than ever, we reflect on our nation’s veterans and active duty service members who have and continue to fight to protect the innocent and oppressed.”
A veteran’s name for each branch of service was recognized before the rest of the wreaths were placed by volunteers. As the names were read, a local veteran saluted each wreath, adorned with a flag recognizing a branch of service Specially recognized were: Henry Gatewood, U.S. Army; James Carter, U.S. Marine Corps; David Larsen, U.S. Navy; Edward Gilley, U.S. Air Force; Wayne Holzer, U.S. Space Force; Max Glore, U.S. Coast Guard; and Vernon Hall, U.S. Merchant Marines. Also recognized was Art Schneickert, on behalf of all soldiers who are or have ever been prisoners of war or missing in action.
“Remember, we are not here today to decorate graves. We are here to remember not their deaths, but their lives,” Gabbert said. “Each wreath is a gift of appreciation from a grateful American.”
