Ashland Memorial Day Information

Joe Lyons • May 13, 2023

Featured speaker at the City of Ashland Memorial Day service at Ashland Cemetery May 29 is Colonel (ret.) Christopher E. Keller, a native of Somerville, Ohio. He joined the Ohio National Guard in March 1985 as an enlisted Soldier. Upon completing Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Ohio National Guard in June 1989. He returned to active duty in August 1994 as a Captain in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps. He retired at the end of September 2022 after 37 years of military service that includes deployments during Operations Desert Shield/Storm, Joint Guard/Forge and Enduring Freedom.

Master of Ceremonies will be E. Wayne Risner and vocalist will be Melanie Miller, singing the national anthem and God Bless America. Chaplain will be Jerry Shearer. Flower representatives from the area veterans organizations will place bouquets of flowers at the monument during the service.

The parade will kick off at 10 a.m. and will proceed down Union Street to Main Street and disband at Ashland Cemetery, where the service will immediately begin. Parade lineup begins at 9 a.m. on Fourth Street.

Parade marshals will be the Ashland Veterans Honor Guard. The Ashland Veterans Honor Guard is comprised of volunteers from the Veterans Organizations in Ashland. They participate in many parades, events and ceremonies. The most common service they provide is at funerals of fellow veterans, where they perform and fold and present an American flag to the next of kin, perform a 21-gun salute and play “Taps.” They will be honored during the service at Ashland Cemetery.

The entry process for the parade is now open for residents, churches, businesses and organizations that would like to participate. Every person/group in the parade should focus on patriotism.

The parade has always been about recognizing all the men and women that have served in the United States Armed Forces. Memorial Day is a holiday for honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died while served in the Armed Forces.

Parade rules are as follows: No candy throwing or handing out candy to the spectators; floats and vehicles must be patriotically decorated and display the American flag; no political or controversial groups, organizations or advertising will be permitted; no “for sale” signs allowed on any vehicle in the parade. The parade committee reserves all rights to reject any proposed entry.

Those interested in being in the parade is asked to contact Mary Ann Dull at 419-651-0156 (leave message or text) or email at alamadlady54@yahoo.com. Deadline is May 23.

Flags at Ashland County Memorial Park will be placed May 22 and Ashland Cemetery May 24, both at 5 p.m. Flags will be taken down at Ashland County Memorial Park June 17 at noon and Ashland Cemetery June 21 at 5 p.m. Volunteers are need to help.

***Photo’s From Previous Years***