Three Traveling War Memorials to Receive Patriotic Escort From Mansfield to Ashland Thursday
ASHLAND — Three powerful symbols of American courage and sacrifice will make a rare journey together Thursday as the World War II Memorial, Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall and Korean War Memorial are escorted from Mansfield to Freer Field in Ashland.
The Aug. 6 procession will serve as the opening chapter of Ashland County’s 2026 Veterans Appreciation celebration, giving residents an opportunity to stand together in gratitude, remembrance and hometown pride.
All three mobile war memorials will be brought together for a rare, simultaneous public display at Freer Field. Each exhibit tells the story of a different generation sent into battle, but together they carry one shared message: America must never forget those who served and sacrificed for its freedom.
Procession Begins at Ohio State Reformatory
Participants will begin gathering at 10 a.m. Thursday at the historic Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, internationally known as a filming location for “The Shawshank Redemption.”
The police-escorted procession is scheduled to depart at 11 a.m. and travel to Ashland by way of state Route 545, U.S. Route 30 east and state Route 42 north.
The escort will then enter Ashland along Claremont Avenue, continue to Main Street, travel east through the heart of the city and turn south onto Center Street before arriving at Freer Field, 1301 Park St.
Members of the public are invited to participate in the procession. Organizers are also encouraging residents, families, businesses and community organizations to line the route through Ashland with American flags, patriotic signs and waves of appreciation.
For some spectators, the procession will be an opportunity to honor a family member who served. For others, it will be a chance to teach a younger generation that freedom came at a cost paid by ordinary Americans who displayed extraordinary courage.
As the memorials travel through Ashland, the community will have an opportunity to offer a visible hometown salute to those who fought in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War — especially those who never returned home.
Volunteers Needed at Freer Field
The memorials are expected to arrive at Freer Field around noon, and volunteers are needed to help assemble the three exhibits.
Noon also marks the beginning of what organizers hope will be a community-wide effort to transform the field into a place of honor, reflection and remembrance.
Volunteers will continue to be needed after setup to provide security and assist visitors at the Vietnam Wall. Wall guides will help people locate the names of fallen service members, allowing veterans, relatives and friends to find and pay tribute to someone they knew and loved.
Additional volunteers who are at least 18 years old and possess a valid driver’s license may help operate golf carts, transporting visitors from the parking area to the memorial grounds.
“If you want to be part of it, come on out,” event co-chair Tim Chandler said.
Opening Ceremony Set for Thursday Evening
An opening ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday at Freer Field, officially welcoming the three memorials to Ashland.
Following the ceremony, the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam memorials will remain open for public viewing 24 hours a day.
Visitors will be able to walk among the exhibits during the daylight or visit quietly after dark, when the stillness of the night may offer an especially moving opportunity for reflection.
The memorials will remain on display through the closing ceremony at noon Sunday, Aug. 9.
For one unforgettable Thursday, the road from Mansfield to Ashland will carry more than three traveling exhibits. It will carry the memories of generations, the grief of families, the pride of veterans and a community’s promise that their service will never be forgotten.
