Ada Township held the first community-wide Memorial Day event at its newest veterans memorial, marking a new permanent space for residents to honor fallen service members.

The dedication took place at Covered Bridge Park on Monday, May 25, according to Fox 17. The project was a collaboration between the McDonald-Osmer American Legion Post 451 and several community partners.

A memorial that tells Ada's story

The memorial features six granite tablets that walk visitors through different eras of American history, starting with events near Ada's founding in 1838, including the Perry expedition to Japan.

The panels progress chronologically through the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, the Cold War, and modern military interventions including the Persian Gulf War and post-9/11 conflicts.

"Well I hope that they get a feeling of how Ada has taken part in what what's developed over the years and how they've been involved in some of our wars and conflicts," said Mel Bauman.

Brett Talbot, service officer for American Legion Post 451, said the township approached the American Legion about creating a veterans memorial at the new park. The group decided to connect veterans' experiences abroad with Ada's local history.

Designed for all generations

The design intentionally includes women and children in every image to create what Talbot calls a "transgenerational story." The memorial showcases both military service and life back home during times of war.

"We wanted to relate to kids, we wanted kids to see this and know our story, not just the story this generation, but prior generations, and know that maybe they're part of that story too," Talbot said.

Dan Shackleton, finance officer with the Post, said the memorial would serve as a place for reflection.

"It'll be a great place for people to relax and just think about what freedoms we have in this country," Shackleton said.

A community effort

The project involved collaboration between:

• McDonald-Osmer American Legion Post 451
• Ada Historical Society
• Ada Township
• Forest Hills Central High School

The memorial also highlights Ada's growth from a frontier settlement to a modern community with its new downtown village.

For Talbot, who has lived in Ada for five years, the project created personal connections to the community.

"It was a way for me to discover Ada, personally, someone who's only been here for five years," Talbot said.

Separate Memorial Day service at Woodlawn Cemetery

Ada Township also held its traditional Memorial Day service at Woodlawn Cemetery, located at 5134 SR 235. The service began at 1 p.m. on Monday, according to Ada Icon.

The cemetery service was cosponsored by:

• Ream McElroy Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9381
• Foss-Agin-Meyer American Legion Post 185

Ada High School junior Callie Burgess, the 2026 American Legion Buckeye Girls State Representative, recited the Gettysburg Address and the poem In Flanders Fields. The VFW Color Guard and the Ada High School Band, directed by Mr. Benjamin Hemming, participated in the ceremony.

Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Allen Conley was the guest speaker. He spoke of past presidents including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, as well as civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

"He lost his life, speaking for every American. He believed in what Americans stood for. And that all Americans should be free," Conley said of King, according to Ada Icon.

A short service was also held at Preston Cemetery in Alger.