ASHLAND — Joe Gorsuch hardly had a minute to rest over the weekend.
Gorsuch, an Ashland County resident, departed from Ashland on Nov. 6 around 6:30 a.m. with 41 other passengers on a charter bus bound for the nation’s capital.
From 1980 to 2002, Gorsuch served in Toledo unit of the Ohio Air National Guard. He was joined by 25 fellow veterans on the 22nd trip of the Ashland County Veterans Honor Bus to Washington, D.C.
“It was just one thing after another,” Gorsuch said around 10 p.m. on Sunday evening, which is when the bus made its return to Ashland.
Several community members gathered at Southview Grace Brethren Church to greet those who went on the trip, displaying signs of support and waving American flags. The bus received an escort from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office and Ashland police and fire along the home stretch from U.S. 250 to the church parking lot.
Officials from each agency formed a line outside the door of the bus to greet each veteran.
The three-day itinerary included stops at Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania and a nighttime tour of the World War II, Korean War and Lincoln memorials. Day Two included stops at the Vietnam Wall, Lincoln Memorial Undercroft, National Military Memorial and the Desert Shield/Desert Storm Memorial, which opened in October 2026.
“It was just absolutely stunning,” Gorsuch said of the nighttime views of the memorials. “It was just phenomenal.”
Attendees of the trip also visited the American History Museum, the National Museum of the United States Army and had the optional opportunity to see the Pentagon Memorial and Capitol/Disabled American Veterans Memorial in the evening.
On the final day, the group visited Arlington National Cemetery and two veterans participated in the wreath presentation at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Last on the itinerary was an option to visit The People’s House: A White House Experience or the Washington Monument.
“We saw the sacrifices that a lot of people don’t appreciate those guys had to go through,” Gorsuch said. “It was just terrific.”
When asked if he’d recommend the trip to fellow veterans, he said the have to go. Even the homecoming Sunday night in the church parking lot was a highlight, he said.
“It might be 50 years late, but boy was it awesome,” Gorsuch said. “It makes you glad you live in a community like this, it really does.”
Photos by Hayden Gray
Community supports veterans’ trip to Washington, D.C.
Elaine Hess is the co-founder and director of the Ashland County Honor Bus program.
She’s traveled with veterans on each of the program’s 22 trips to D.C.
High school students also accompany the veterans to provide practical assistance and learn about history. This year’s five “student guardians” were from Mapleton High School.
“I feel like it’s really important for our students to connect with veterans and veterans to connect to the students,” Hess said. “I want them to experience as much history as they can and get to see D.C. through the eyes of a veteran.”
Hess said the Ashland community is very supportive of its veterans and this trip.
The program makes two trips a year, both in the fall. She said the autumn weather is the most accommodating to veterans and D.C. typically isn’t as busy with tourists in the fall.
The Norma Foundation, a private non-profit organization in Ashland, funds jackets for each member of the trip, Hess said. For veterans, the trip is completely funded thanks to community individuals, organizations and small businesses.
A small fee is required for spouses or companions who would like to make the trip with their veteran.
For veterans interested in signing up for a trip, a waiting list has already been started for 2027. Those interested can contact Hess via the program’s Facebook page. The waiting list is used to send out applications in the summer and does not necessarily reserve the interested parties spot.
“The community has been so supportive. It’s truly amazing,” Hess said.
