Volunteer Spotlight: What's Your Why?


“No veteran should be in a potter’s field, let alone a medal of honor recipient.” Thousands of volunteers share that sentiment expressed by Wreaths Across America Location Coordinator Michelle Cebe.

Michelle Cebe discovered Wreaths Across America in 2016, started volunteering in 2017, and by 2018, Michelle became the Location Coordinator at Leavenworth National Cemetery.

Michelle works with a committee of retired military and Gold Star families as they honor every December the over 37-thousand veterans laid to rest there. “We’re blessed to have Norma Donlon, the Wreaths Across America Kansas Ambassador, and her husband, Col. Roger Donlon, the first recipient of the Medal of Honor in Vietnam as supporters,” Michelle further explained how this story began. “In 2020, during Covid, it wasn’t clear what or how cemeteries would be participating in National Wreaths Across America Day. Norma called to be sure we honored the Medal of Honor recipients regardless of the circumstances. We always take care of our six Medal of Honor recipients laid to rest at Leavenworth, but we also discovered we had heroes laid to rest in Mt. Calvary Cemetery as well. One of our supporters, George Westbrook from VFW Post 56 in Leavenworth, and a member of the Kansas Patriot Guard went out and scoped it out for us so we’d know where they were located.” That’s when Michelle discovered something that shocked her. “George came back to me and said, ‘Michelle, I’m going to need another wreath because we have a Medal of Honor recipient buried in a potter’s field in the back of the cemetery. The area is in pretty sad shape, and so is the headstone.’

Hearing this revelation, Michelle’s desire to live up to this soldier’s legacy fueled her efforts to see him honored appropriately. “With everything else happening on Wreath Day, I talked to the cemetery administration to see if they’d be willing to relocate Sgt. Robert McPhelan. They told me I’d have to locate the family for permission, determine his eligibility, and raise the money necessary for the exhumation of his remains and his reinterment.” That would be no small feat considering Sgt. McPhelan was laid to rest in 1884.

Never underestimate the power of Wreaths Across America volunteers when upholding the mission to remember, honor, and teach. The Medal of Honor Historical Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, veterans’ organizations, and family members aided Michelle’s genealogical research.

Robert McPhelan was born in 1837 in Laois, Ireland. He immigrated to the United States with his wife Mary and joined the Army.

While serving with Company E, 5th U.S. Infantry, he was engaged during the India Conflicts, including the Battle of Cedar Creek in October of 1876. This battle brought about the surrender of Sitting Bull. He received his Medal of Honor for gallantry during his time serving with Col. Nelson Miles, October 1876 through January 1877. He received the honor July 18th, 1877, from General William T. Sherman. Sgt. McPhelan worked on post at Ft. Leavenworth until he passed due to injuries sustained in the conflict. For reasons unknown, Sgt. McPhelan was laid to rest in potter’s field near Mt. Calvary Cemetery. There was also an extensive search by volunteers for Robert’s daughter Mary.

As of this writing, Sgt. McPhelan’s remains have been recovered from the potter’s field; however, his Medal of Honor was not found with him, lost to history. This Friday, June 4th, 2021, this American hero will finally rest in peace and with dignity in section 69 at Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, Kansas. With full military honors, the reinterment ceremony, is closed to the public. Guests, including three of his great-great-granddaughters, will attend.

The public is welcome to line the procession route with American flags to honor Sgt. McPhelan. The Procession will leave Leintz Funeral Home at 9:30am CST, with the ceremony at Leavenworth National Cemetery beginning at 10am CST.

You'll hear more with our volunteers like Michelle in the "What's Your Why?" features on Wreaths Across America Radio.