ASHLAND — History may be made Aug. 6-9 at Ashland’s Freer Field.
The World War II, Korean and Vietnam traveling war memorials will each be on display in what may be the first gathering of the trio at the same place and time, according to Tim Chandler and Sandy Burkholder, co-chairs of the Ashland County Veterans Appreciation Events Committee.
“As far as we know, we don’t know of any other event that’s ever had all three (traveling) memorials in one place at one time,” Burkholder said.
Chandler and Burkholder have co-chaired the committee together for the past three years.
But Veterans Appreciation Day 2026 is set to be a year unlike any other.
The three memorials will be escorted from the Ohio State Reformatory, 100 Reformatory Road in Mansfield, to Ashland on Aug. 6. Any cars, trucks or motorcycles are welcome to join the escort by meeting at OSR at 10 a.m.
Those who are unable to join the escort are invited to line the route to watch and wave as it passes by on its way to Freer Field.
Chandler said formation of the escort will begin at 10 a.m. and depart at approximately 11 a.m. The escort will travel from state Route 545 to U.S. 30 and then to U.S. 42, led by law enforcement in both the front and rear. It will veer off U.S. 42 to Claremont Avenue, travel down Main Street to Center Street and conclude by pulling into Dale Roy School.
Cruisers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol and sheriff’s offices in Richland and Ashland counties will be participating in the escort.
“At noon (on Aug. 6), they’ll start setting up (the memorials),” Chandler said. “Most of them take between two and three hours to setup.”
As long as everything goes according to schedule, he said a brief opening ceremony is planned for 5 p.m. The memorials will remain open to the public 24 hours a day from Aug. 6 at 5 p.m. to Aug. 9 at noon, at which time a closing ceremony is planned.
“Anybody can come out at any time, walk around and see them,” Chandler said.
The memorials will be lit up each night, with security personnel present around the clock. Periodic rounds will be made by the Ashland Police Division, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office and OSHP.
“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,” Burkholder said. “We were extremely blessed this year for everything that we’re going to be able to do.”
Schedule of events for Aug. 7-8
The annual appreciation day — which typically takes place at the Ashland County Airport — needs additional space this year to accommodate the size and scale of the memorials.
However, Freer Field, 1301 Park St., is a fitting location to return to. The first Veterans Appreciation Day took place in 2013 at the barn located on the field’s southeast corner.
“They fired up the grill and they cooked hot dogs. Over 300 veterans showed up and it was pouring down rain and they had the time of their lives,” Chandler said of the first Veterans Appreciation Day.
The event has continued to grow year after year, now averaging more than 6,000 attendees, Burkholder said.
A formal opening ceremony for this year’s appreciation day will begin at 11 a.m. Aug. 8.
Skydivers from AerOhio Skydiving are expected to jump overhead with the American and POW/MIA flags, Burkholder said. Following the ceremony, all veterans in attendance are invited to gather for a group photo.
A free community lunch — 800 hot dogs, 800 hamburgers, baked beans, chips and cookies — will be served next on a first-come, first-serve basis. Additional food trucks and drink trailers will be on-site all day Aug. 8, Burkholder said.
A variety of entertainment will be provided throughout the day, listed below:
- 3 p.m. — Ken Hammondtree
- 5 to 7 p.m. — E5C4P3 (Journey Tribute band)
- 7:30 to 9:15 p.m. — Phil Dirt & The Dozers
Two activities are also scheduled for the evening before (Aug. 7), listed below:
- 7 p.m. — Big Green Tractor (Jason Aldean cover band) at Freer Field. A $10 per car load parking fee will be in place for the evening of Aug. 7 only.
- 7 p.m. — A free showing of “Remember the Titans” at The Ashland Theatre, 212 Center St.
Free haircuts will be offered to veterans on Aug. 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. inside the Freer Field visitor center, 1301 Park St. A variety of veterans support vendors will be set up on-site, Burkholder said.
A patriotic drone show will light up the sky Aug. 8 at 9:30 p.m. Burkholder said the show will boast 500 drones, compared to 300 in previous years.
“We are beyond excited,” she said.
More details worth noting
Parking will be available off Center Street — similar to the parking layout for BalloonFest, Burkholder said. Handicap parking will be available in the Freer Field visitor center lot off Park Street.
Chandler said there will also be 13 golf carts shuttling attendees in need of assistance from the parking lots to the memorials.
Anyone interested in volunteering to help setup or teardown the memorials — or help with security of the memorials — can contact Chandler by calling (419)-606-4129.
Donation boxes for the Ashland County Veterans Appreciation Events Committee will be available at Freer Field for those interested in making a contribution.
