Memories & Moments with Mike- When the Time Is Right... We Celebrate and Commemorate—It’s What We Do

When the Time Is Right, We Celebrate and Commemorate—It’s What We Do

Mike Tussey

For The Ashland Beacon

Here in late October comes the very essence of our competitive nature. Let’s take a look: The 2026 World Series continues tonight with Game 4 at 8 p.m., featuring the Rays vs. The Brewers. Of course, college, high school, and Bengals football have weekend crowds loving every minute of it all.

    This competitive nature also extends beyond sports into careers, politics, and whatever else may fit our fancy. Competing is in our blood. We want to win—whatever it takes—while proving our superiority, no matter what the feat may be.

    Over the years, we have become very familiar with this phrase:

“THE THRILL OF VICTORY— THE AGONY OF DEFEAT”  

There’s always a place in our society for winners; losers can try again. Commemorating and celebrating are practices that go back centuries. We seem to mark the times, honors, and achievements that strengthen our bonds.

    We love to recognize special moments such as birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, holidays, and other events. When we gather for such occasions, it seems to reinforce relationships.

    Dinners, music, and dances seem to create lasting memories of entertainment that bring happiness. Our society loves to celebrate holidays such as Christmas, Easter, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day. These historic days tend to reflect our beliefs, connections, memories, and gratitude.

    When we think of commemoration, it’s really an act of honoring and remembering a person, group, event, or achievement through the laying of wreaths, memorial services, the unveiling of monuments, or simply a moment of silence. 

So, simply put, commemoration is a time for remembrance. It’s about honoring the past with respect, while celebration is about enjoying the present or reflecting on the past with joy. Celebration is party time!

    Over the years, we have created so many ways to recognize achievement and success. Let’s take a look.

    Some of the most enduring awards are simple trophies. They come in all types and sizes, large and small. Trophies are tokens of success and become keepsakes as the years pass.

    It’s likely that somewhere in your house or garage, those trophies remain, reflecting pleasant memories. You never forget those high school varsity letters, often accompanied by an awards dinner that usually generates dozens of photographs, which become trophies in their own right.

    Certainly, over our many years of memories, we remember popular award shows such as THE GRAMMYS and THE OSCARS.

    These honors are symbolized by award statues that represent the highest achievements in their respective professions. Without a doubt, if you are a devoted golfer, you know what that “GREEN JACKET” means you’ve won: THE MASTERS!

    A Hall of Fame stands for exactly what its name implies: a hallowed place where the very best—the elite—are enshrined because of their excellence, achievements, and reputations.

    Locally, throughout America, we proudly recognize citizens who have reached the pinnacle of success in their respective fields, bringing that recognition home to their communities.

One of the most popular ways to honor people is by naming city streets after renowned citizens who served their communities and brought recognition to their hometowns. Examples include Cincinnati’s “PETE ROSE WAY” and Ashland, Kentucky’s own “CHUCK WOOLERY BOULEVARD.”

    In Ashland, a beautiful war memorial and honor roll stood for many years at 11th Street and Carter Avenue. It included the names of Ashland and Boyd County residents who defended America. The military heroes who lost their lives were identified by a Gold Star beside their names.

    Locally, here are a few commemorations that resonate throughout our area:

• DICK AND DICKIE MARTIN PRESS BOX

• KEN JONES PRESS BOX

• HERB CONLEY STATUE

• T. R. WRIGHT PRESS BOX

• C. B. NUCKOLLS CENTER

• GARY WRIGHT FIELD

• IVAN McGLONE FIELD

• STEVE GILMORE WAY

• MATT PERKINS

• JUDD PLAZA

• DAVID PAYNE WAY

    Today, many riverside communities along the Ohio River commemorate their outstanding citizens with painted murals on floodwalls, creating lasting tributes to their contributions to the community. 

  Ashland is one of the communities that proudly remembers special citizens such as Professor C. B. Nuckolls, who taught at Ashland’s Booker T. Washington High School during the 1950s.

    Mayors in some cities recognize their citizens by proclaiming a special day in their honor and presenting them with a very nice plaque. In fact, a few years ago, I was deeply honored to be recognized by Ashland Mayor Matt Perkins with the very prestigious: “KEY TO THE CITY!”

    It should be noted that state and local awards recognize citizens whose outstanding efforts and examples have brought civic achievements and recognition to their communities and states.

    Here in Kentucky, we are very proud of the popular KENTUCKY COLONELS AND ADMIRALS who have brought our Commonwealth not only goodwill but also excellence through their contributions to the state.

    For many years, I have been very proud to serve our great Commonwealth as a Kentucky Colonel and an Admiral in the Kentucky Navy! Today, families honor and commemorate their deceased loved ones with beautiful tributes and “CELEBRATIONS OF LIFE,” attended by friends and family members.

My sincere thanks to Charlie Dunlap for providing today’s column photos! To all these individuals and many more, the Greater Ashland Beacon salutes you! Well done!

    So, given that Halloween will be here in just four days, here’s some mystical October advice: Be aware of who sits next to you!

BOO!