ASHLAND — The fierce rumble of motorcycles could be heard Thursday in front of the Municipal Building before the lead vehicle of a convoy could be seen.
City of Ashland employees lined the street displaying American flags along with several community members spread throughout the escort route. Made up of 70 motorcycles — and several additional vehicles — the convoy escorting three traveling war memorials made its way from Mansfield to Ashland.
Several local law enforcement agencies helped lead the convoy from the Ohio State Reformatory to Freer Field, including the Mansfield Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office and Ashland Police Division.
The World War II, Korean and Vietnam traveling war memorials will each be on display around the clock at Freer Field, 1301 Park St., from Thursday at 5 p.m. until Sunday at noon.
Volunteers began constructing the memorials around noon Thursday, which can take up to two to three hours each, according to Tim Chandler, co-chair of the Ashland County Veterans Appreciation Events Committee.
A brief opening ceremony is planned for 5 p.m. as long as everything goes according to schedule, Chandler said. The memorials will be lit up each night, with security personnel present around the clock.
“Anybody can come out at any time, walk around and see them,” Chandler said in July.
Below are photos of the traveling war memorial convoy, taken Thursday morning along Claremont Avenue by Hayden Gray. The story continues below.
The traveling memorials are part of the larger 2026 Veterans Appreciation Day event, which begins Saturday at 11 a.m. A variety of activities and entertainment are scheduled from Friday night until the event’s closing ceremony at noon Sunday.
“Tim and I are just two people and we’re not the only ones who have done this. We have an amazing committee and support from the community for us to do this event,” said Sandy Burkholder, who co-chairs the committee with Chandler.
“We were extremely blessed this year for everything that we’re going to be able to do.”
More about the memorials
The traveling World War II memorial is roughly half the size of the permanent memorial in Washington, D.C., according to Connect 5 Veteran’s Foundation. There are 4,048 gold stars displayed on the memorial, each representing 100 American military deaths.
It also includes the Wall of Stars (aka Wall of Freedom), the Atlantic and Pacific Pavilions and 56 pillars and stands with oak and wheat wreaths, according to the foundation.
The traveling Korean War memorial consists of 19 soldiers walking through a Korean rice paddy, according to Connect 5. Three soldiers are off to the side setting up a campfire. It was created by Ben Burke (Line-X) and Larry Smith (Precise Welding) of Lancaster.
The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall is a three-fifths-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., according to the Vietnam and All Veterans of Brevard. It stands 6 feet tall at its highest point and spans about 300 feet from end to end.
Below are more photos of the traveling war memorials being escorted into Ashland on Thursday morning. Credit: Hayden Gray
Do you know any veterans? If so, share this list of discounts offered throughout Ashland County with them. This list was compiled by Ann Schar and is updated every four months.
