Retired National Guard colonel to give Memorial Day address in Ashland

Ashland Times-Gazette
·2 min read
The honor guard leads the Ashland Memorial Day parade last year. This year's parade will begin at 10 a.m. May 29.
The honor guard leads the Ashland Memorial Day parade last year. This year's parade will begin at 10 a.m. May 29.

ASHLAND − The speaker for the city's Memorial Day service at Ashland Cemetery will be a retired National Guard colonel from Somerville.

Christopher E. Killer joined the Guard in 1985, and upon completing Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in June 1989. He returned to active duty August 1994 as a captain in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps. He retired at the end of September 2022 after 37 years of service that includes deployments during Operations Desert Shield/Storm, Joint Guard/Forge and Enduring Freedom.

Master of Ceremonies at the May 29 service 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 proceed down Union Street to Main Street and disband at Ashland Cemetery. Parade lineup begins at 9 a.m. on Fourth Street.

Parade marshals will be the Ashland Veterans Honor Guard, which is composed of volunteers from the veteran organizations in Ashland. They participate in 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 open for residents, churches, businesses and organizations that would like to participate. Every person/group in the parade should focus on patriotism.

Parade rules are:

  • 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 is permitted

  • No “for sale” signs allowed on any vehicle.

  • The parade committee reserves the right to reject entries.

Anyone interested in being in the parade shouold contact Mary Ann Dull at 419-651-0156 (leave message or text) or email at alamadlady54@yahoo.com. The deadline is May 23.

Flags at Ashland County Memorial Park will be placed May 22 and flags at Ashland Cemetery will be placed 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 needed to help.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland Memorial Day speaker named, parade rules posted