Wreaths of Honor Laid at Ashland Cemetery as Community Joins Nation in Remembering America’s Fallen
ASHLAND — At exactly noon on Saturday, the quiet grounds of Ashland Cemetery became part of a powerful nationwide tribute as local volunteers joined thousands of communities across America for Wreaths Across America, honoring those who served and sacrificed for freedom.
Led by the Ashland Honor Guard, the solemn ceremony marked the start of a profound afternoon of remembrance. Nearly 50 volunteers gathered to place evergreen wreaths, each adorned with a red bow, at the graves of local veterans, a simple but profound symbol that their service is remembered and their legacy endures.
Serving as the local coordinator is Zach Carter, who has guided Ashland’s participation since 2018. Carter emphasized that the effort is entirely volunteer-driven, rooted not in formality, but in gratitude.
“This is an entire volunteer thing,” Carter said. “I’m just the point person. People have questions or concerns, they come to me, and if I don’t have the answer, Wreaths Across America helps provide it.”
Since its humble beginning seven years ago, the Ashland ceremony has grown dramatically. The first year saw just 66 wreaths placed. This year, that number climbed to approximately 850 wreaths, a reflection of both growing awareness and deepening community pride.
“When we first started, we had maybe 10 to 15 volunteers,” Carter said. “Now we’re at 50, maybe even 70 some years. Each year, more people show up. That means a lot.”
For Carter, the mission is deeply personal.
His best friend, Army First Lieutenant Michael Runyan, whom he described as “like a brother,” was killed in action in Iraq in 2010 during his first tour of duty, on Carter’s birthday. The bond they shared continues to inspire Carter’s dedication to honoring veterans. His older brother also served 20 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.
“I never served myself,” Carter said. “But from a civilian perspective, this is what I can do to help remember and honor those who have.”
Carter first experienced Wreaths Across America as a volunteer at a larger site in Rittman and was struck by the overwhelming turnout and shared sense of purpose. Determined to bring that same spirit home, he registered Ashland as an official location.
Wreaths Across America made the process simple, he said, providing ceremony scripts, marketing materials, and organizational support removing barriers for communities wanting to participate.
What was once the only registered site in Ashland County has now helped inspire neighboring communities. Jeromesville, Sullivan, Shelby, Mansfield, and others now host their own ceremonies, allowing more people to take part locally.
“That’s part of why it’s grown,” Carter said. “It’s closer for people, and they can place more wreaths. And word of mouth still works.”
Volunteers can sign up through the Wreaths Across America Ashland Cemetery webpage, which notifies Carter directly, or by reaching out through community connections.
Across the country, more than 5,600 locations held ceremonies Saturday, most beginning at the same moment noon uniting Americans coast to coast in remembrance.
Over the coming weeks, Carter encourages residents to take notice.
“If you’re driving by a cemetery and you see those simple balsam wreaths with the red bows,” he said, “there’s a good chance they were placed the same day, at the same time, as here in Ashland. That’s something special to be a part of.”
In quiet rows beneath winter skies, the wreaths now rest visible reminders that freedom is not free, and that in Ashland, those who served will never be forgotten.
