Ashland’s America 250 Celebration Showed What True Leadership, Patriotism And Community Look Like
ASHLAND — Every once in a while, a community has a moment that feels bigger than a parade, bigger than fireworks and bigger than a single celebration.
On July 4, 2026, Ashland had one of those moments.
As America marked its 250th Birthday, the City of Ashland did more than hang flags and set off fireworks. Ashland came together as one community to honor freedom, thank its veterans, celebrate the red, white and blue and dedicate something that will stand long after the music fades and the fireworks smoke clears.
The City of Ashland Freedom Park & Monument now stands as a permanent reminder that freedom is priceless, sacrifice matters and patriotism is still alive and well in the heart of Ohio.
But this celebration also showed something else.
It showed the kind of leadership Ashland has been blessed with under Mayor Matt Miller.
There are mayors who hold a title, and then there are mayors who carry the heart of a city with them every day. Mayor Miller has proven, time and time again, that his love for Ashland is not political, temporary or surface-level. It is deep. It is personal. It is constant.
In hard times, in uncertain times and in moments of celebration, he has worked day and night to help make Ashland the best community it can be. He has helped build a city that honors its history, supports its families, respects its faith, lifts up its businesses and never forgets the men and women who wore the uniform.
As a veteran myself, I just want to say thank you.
Thank you to a mayor who does not simply talk about loving veterans, but shows it. Thank you to a leader who understands that when the American flag passes by, we stand. We place our hands over our hearts. We remember. We honor. We teach the next generation why it matters.
That spirit was on full display throughout Ashland’s America 250 celebration.
The day began with a patriotic parade through downtown Ashland, where red, white and blue filled Claremont Avenue and Main Street. Families lined the streets, children waved flags, veterans were applauded, first responders were honored and community groups proudly marched through the heart of the city.
Mayor Miller said it best when he looked down Main Street and noted that no one could deny Ashland knows how to celebrate the red, white and blue.
The parade included the VFW Post 1067 Honor Guard, local law enforcement, firefighters, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, churches, civic groups, dancers, Jeeps, tractors, monster trucks, the Salvation Army’s 45-foot float, historic displays and even Kenneth Hammontree portraying General George Washington.
One of the most powerful moments came as Korean War veteran Cloyd McNall rode through downtown in a World War II Jeep driven by his grandson, Anthony Tobias. Both men are United States veterans. That image alone told a story of service, family and love of country.
Later that day, nearly 250 Ashland County veterans gathered for the dedication of the City of Ashland Freedom Park & Monument. They were arranged in the shape of an American flag, with red and white stripes and a blue field visible from above by drone.
It was a breathtaking tribute.
Mayor Miller reminded those gathered that “freedom is not free” and that it always comes at a price. He spoke about the responsibility of protecting freedom and the danger of taking it for granted.
The monument itself is massive in size and even greater in meaning. At its center is a 47,000-pound piece of granite from South Dakota. Surrounding it are pillars representing the branches of the United States military, each weighing more than 4,000 pounds.
The monument includes Scripture and words from some of the most important voices in American history.
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
“With freedom comes responsibility.”
“Freedom is never more than one generation from extinction.”
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
“Give me liberty or give me death.”
Each quote is more than decoration. Each one is a challenge to remember who we are, what we have been given and what must be protected.
The dedication also honored William and Martha Buckingham, whose love for Ashland and generous giving helped make the monument possible. Bill Buckingham, a proud United States Air Force veteran and longtime Ashland businessman, spoke with humor, humility and pride.
“I am so proud to be a citizen of Ashland, Ohio,” Buckingham said.
Bill and Martha came to Ashland after acquiring Lake Erie Frozen Foods, but they did much more than own a business. They gave their time, their resources and their hearts to this community. Through this monument, their love for Ashland and their gratitude for the American Dream will continue speaking to future generations.
The ceremony included the Armed Forces Medley, allowing veterans from each branch to stand and be recognized. The crowd paused as “Taps” was played in honor of the nearly 1.2 million American service members who have lost their lives while serving this country since 1776.
Then, that evening at Freer Field, Ashland gathered again for the grand finale.
Thousands came together for live music, food, birthday cake pops and what organizers described as the largest fireworks show in Ashland County history. The Ashland Rotary Club, which has sponsored the community fireworks for more than 40 years, helped make the night unforgettable. For America’s 250th birthday, the fireworks were bigger, brighter and more intense than a normal year.
Before the fireworks began, Mayor Miller reminded the crowd that Ashland is a patriotic community.
“We love the red, white and blue here in our great community and we’ll never be ashamed to say so,” Miller said.
That line matters.
In a time when too many people are afraid to say they love their country, Ashland said it loudly. Ashland said it proudly. Ashland said it with flags, music, prayer, veterans, families, fireworks and a monument built to last.
Families across Freer Field lit candles on birthday cake pops and sang “Happy Birthday” to America. Children, parents, grandparents, veterans and neighbors stood together in one field, under one sky, celebrating one nation.
Then came the countdown.
“10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 — boom.”
The sky erupted over Ashland in red, white and blue.
As I watched and reflected on the day, I could not help but think of my late friend Ron Terry and his powerful video, “I Am the Flag.” In that piece, the flag speaks of riding across the Delaware with General Washington, standing at Gettysburg, flying over Pearl Harbor, Korea, Vietnam and the caskets of soldiers and presidents.
The words remind us that the flag is not just cloth. It is a witness. It has been carried into battle, raised in victory, lowered in grief and lifted again in hope.
It has flown over courthouses, battlefields, naval ships, military encampments, hometown parades and the final resting places of American heroes.
That is why days like July 4, 2026, matter.
That is why monuments matter.
That is why leadership matters.
Ashland’s America 250 celebration was not just a successful event. It was a statement about who we are as a community.
We are a community that loves God.
We are a community that honors veterans.
We are a community that respects the flag.
We are a community that believes freedom is worth defending.
We are a community that shows up.
And we are a community blessed with a mayor who truly loves the people he serves.
Mayor Matt Miller has helped make Ashland better, even in hard times. He has worked tirelessly to build pride in this city, to bring people together and to remind us that patriotism is not something to be hidden or apologized for.
It is something to be lived.
On America’s 250th birthday, Ashland did not just celebrate the past. Ashland built something for the future.
Future generations will walk by the Freedom Park Monument. They will read the words carved into stone. They will see the quotes, the military branches and the weight of history placed before them. Maybe a parent or grandparent will explain what freedom means. Maybe a veteran will pause quietly. Maybe a child will ask why it matters.
And because of what Ashland built, there will be an answer.
Freedom matters because brave men and women paid for it.
America matters because generations sacrificed to preserve it.
Ashland matters because this community still believes in honoring both.
On July 4, 2026, Ashland celebrated America’s 250th birthday in a way that was patriotic, powerful and unforgettable.
And for that, to Mayor Matt Miller, to the City of Ashland crew, to the Buckingham family, to every veteran, every volunteer, every sponsor and every citizen who helped make it happen, THANK YOU.
From one veteran, and one proud member of this community, thank you for reminding us that America is still worth celebrating, freedom is still worth defending and Ashland is still one of the best places in this country to call home.
