Young patriot presents Branson Mayor with special gift
- Cynthia J. Thomas
- Mar 27
- 2 min read
Regular guests at many of Branson events honoring veterans are likely familiar with Skyler Clark. Starting at just seven years of age, Skyler has made it his mission to honor and thank veterans. Now 13, he has taken many veterans fishing and presented even more with handmade “thank-you” tokens.
Often when he is introduced to a veteran, be it a local mayor, business owner, or wounded veteran he has felt drawn to, Skyler likes to give a special gift made especially for that person. Last Friday, March 21, the recipient was Branson Mayor Larry Milton, who received a surprise presentation of a handmade knife Skyler made just for him.
Mary Schantag, Chairman of POW Network, opened the monthly Mayor’s Unity Meeting by introducing Skyler, who was named the Network’s Patriotism Award recipient in 2024, to present his surprise to the mayor. The glass tri-color knife is hand-struck using the same method Native Americans used to make arrowheads, and very labor-intensive. The antler handle and base complement the glass and allow the owner easy accessibility for use. In presenting the knife to Mayor Milton, Skyler explained that the glass was extra thick, yet very sharp, and would not break if actually used.
Skyler loves to honor patriotic individuals, and as both a Marine veteran and an advocate for Branson, the mayor is indeed that. Skyler decided on the gift some time ago, and went to work getting just the right fused piece of glass, working it into a blade, matching the antlers to the blade and stand, and making sure the base was grooved perfectly to highlight the knife wherever it was displayed.
The mayor appeared truly surprised by the gift, and awed by the time and effort it represented. Along with his sincere thanks, he told the assembled veterans and Unity Meeting attendees that our country needs more young people like Skyler.
Skyler’s parents, Roger and Ashley Clark, introduced themselves and shared that they are working to incorporate and apply for IRS 501(c)(3) status for Skyler’s Fishing Adventures. Skyler asked the mayor if he liked to fish, and when he replied that he did, Skyler promised, “I’ll take you fishing!” Milton then asked if Skyler caught fish, to which many in the room who are familiar with Skyler’s Fishing Adventures responded with a resounding “Yes!”
This writer can attest that meeting Skyler and watching his sincere appreciation as he interacts with veterans is an inspirational experience. He is currently making plans to meet and greet Purple Heart Veterans attending a fishing tournament while also attending a Purple Heart reunion in Branson, hosted by the Veterans Task Force. If you see him around town during that reunion, or during Branson’s Veterans Week in November or other events, give him a thumbs-up and thank him for his efforts in honoring our veterans.
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