COLUMBUS, Ohio — Governor Mike DeWine, First Lady Fran DeWine, and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel joined Gold Star families and state leaders on May 21, 2026, for the annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Ohio Veterans’ Plaza at the Ohio Statehouse. The event paid tribute to Ohio service members who died while serving their country.
“As we gather here on the Ohio Veterans’ Plaza, we are surrounded by the legacies of so many Ohioans who have served our country,” Governor DeWine said. “Our fallen heroes believed in freedom, took an oath to defend it, and gave their lives doing just that. We owe them a debt we can never repay.”
The ceremony specifically honored several fallen Ohioans, including Sgt. David Kreuter of Cincinnati, who died in Iraq in 2005 at age 26 when a roadside bomb struck his vehicle. It also remembered three members of the Ohio Air National Guard’s 121st Air Refueling Wing in Columbus who were killed during Operation Epic Fury earlier this year: Capt. Seth Koval, Capt. Curtis Angst, and Master Sgt. Tyler Simmons.
Lt. Governor Jim Tressel emphasized the importance of ongoing remembrance. “It’s important that today, and every day, we remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country,” he stated, highlighting the courage and selflessness of service members and the strength of Gold Star families.
Ken Kreuter, father of Sgt. David Kreuter, spoke about the human impact. “Our loved ones were real people, with real places in our lives, making real contributions to our families, our communities, and our nation,” he said.
Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, noted his personal connection to some of the honored service members. Maj. Gen. Matthew S. Woodruff, the Ohio Adjutant General, added that Memorial Day serves as a reminder of the price paid for freedoms enjoyed today.
The program included a rifle salute by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Honor Guard, a performance of “Taps” by Master Sgt. Sean Maloney of the 121st Air Refueling Wing, and a flyover by the U.S. Air Force Reserve 445th Airlift Wing.
Local Remembrance in Southern Ohio
While the statewide ceremony took place in Columbus, communities across southern Ohio, including Ross County and adjacent counties, continue to honor fallen service members through local observances. In Chillicothe, residents can participate in the Memorial Walking Tour of Chillicothe’s Historic Grandview Cemetery on May 23, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The guided tour offers an opportunity to reflect on local history and the sacrifices made by area veterans.
As Memorial Day weekend arrives, these local events in Ross County and surrounding areas provide meaningful ways for families and neighbors to pause, remember, and express gratitude to those who served and to the Gold Star families who carry their legacies forward.
The governor’s office has noted that a full recording of the May 21 ceremony is available on The Ohio Channel website for those unable to attend in person.
