Tennessee officials moved signage for Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway Thursday after outcry from Vietnam veterans.
For decades, State Route 386 had been designated Vietnam Veterans Boulevard, commemorating 25 Americans who died in the conflict. This year, the legislature voted to commemorate the same stretch of highway for the late conservative activist. Kirk was assassinated last fall while talking at a college campus in Utah.
Bob Schricker, president of the Vietnam Veterans of America 240 Chapter in Sumner County, said veterans weren’t told about the new memorial until the signs went up.
“That was very disrespectful,” Schricker said. “You have Vietnam veterans who came home and were not welcomed. And now we see signage that brings back those memories of not being welcomed.”
Schricker said the subject of the memorial isn’t the problem.
“It’s no disrespect to Charlie Kirk,” Schricker said. “It just went up on the wrong highway.”
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District 6 congressional candidate and Tennessee Rep. Johnny Garrett, R-Goodlettsville, worked with TDOT to move the signs up the road to Long Hollow Pike.
“It was never our intention to offend anyone or diminish the sacrifice of those who served our country,” Garrett said in a statement to WPLN News. “I’m deeply grateful to the veterans who shared their concerns and worked with us to find a solution that best honors both our Vietnam Veterans and Charlie Kirk.”
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