Ashland's Heart of Ohio Our Community Salutes will host its High School Enlistee Recognition Ceremony to honor the Class of 2026 high school seniors and their families on April 12, 2026.

Doors Open for check-in at 1:30pm.
The ceremony will begin promptly at 2:30pm

There is no cost to attend this event.  Local businesses and individuals are underwriting the entire cost of the ceremony in honor of our Class of 2026 high school enlistees who have made the selfless decision to serve our country.

Suggested dress attire is business casual.  Everyone must register to attend the event.

Please be sure to register by: April 7th

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:  US ARMY CSM DANNY BASHAM

CSM Danny A. Basham entered the Army on 11 July 2001 and attended One Station Unit Training at Ft. Benning, GA as an 11B Infantryman. His first duty assignment was to 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, KY.

CSM Basham has held several previous assignments in Recruiting Brigades; and was a member of the  3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Ft
Campbell, KY.

CSM Basham’s military education includes all levels of the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development System.  He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and Biblical Studies from Liberty University, and a Master’s degree in Christian Ministry from Liberty University.

He has receied mulitple awards and decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC); Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC); Army Achievement Medal (3 OLC); National Defense Service Medal; Afghan Campaign Medal (1 Campaign Star); Iraqi Campaign Medal (2 Campaign Stars); Global War on Terrorism Service Medal;  Presidential Unit Citation; Meritorious Unit Citation; Army Superior Unit Award (2 OLC); Combat Infantryman Badge; Parachutist Badge; Air
Assault Badge; and the Gold Recruiter Badge.

We are honored to have him as our Keynote Speaker!

MASTER of CEREMONY: The HONORABLE MAYOR of ASHLAND,  MATT MILLER

Matt Miller serves as the 54th Mayor of the great City of Ashland, OH. Prior to joining the city government, Matt served as a Deputy Director of Business & Human Resources at the Ohio Department of Transportation. Matt also served two terms as an Ashland County Commissioner (2000-2008) before being named the Business Administrator at the Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center.

A former president of the Board of Directors of Hospice of North Central Ohio and past president of the Ashland Care Center, Matt currently serves as the president of the Ashland Area Economic Development Corporation, as well as the Ashland County Land Bank and the Ashland Theater Organization.

SPEAKER: MAJ PAUL WOJCIK, USMC WILL LEAD the OATH of ENLISTMENT 

Maj Wojcik commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program from the Virginia Military Institute in 2013.

Early in his career, he served as both a platoon commander and executive officer, deploying to Okinawa Japan and Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania.

In 2020, Maj Wojcik became the Assistant Operations Officer at 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, where he deployed to Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan, to conduct a Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel.

In July 2023, Maj Wojcik assumed command of Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team, Company A, Marine Corps Security Force Regiment. During that time, he manned, trained, and equipped platoons to deploy to the EUCOM, PACOM, CENTCOM, and SOUTHCOM areas of responsibility and supported a crisis response mission for the U.S. Embassy in Haiti.

In May 2025, Maj Wojcik assumed command of Recruiting Station Ohio.

Maj Wojcik has received the following awards: Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars,  and Combat Action Ribbon.