Full Breakdown
Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway Signs Removed After Vietnam Veterans Object
7/21/2026, 4:37:27 AM
Core Event: Removal of the Memorial Designation
In June 2024, signs designating State Route 386 in Sumner County, Tennessee, as the “Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway” were installed along a road already known as Vietnam Veterans Boulevard. After objections from local Vietnam-era veterans, the signs were taken down and the designation is being transferred to Long Hollow Pike in Goodlettsville.
Background & Context: Prior Naming Discussions
State Route 386 honors 25 Sumner County service members who died in the Vietnam War. Earlier in 2024, county officials debated naming a road after Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative activist who was shot and killed in September 2025 while speaking at a university event in Utah. A previous location for a Kirk memorial had been considered but never implemented.
Official Statements & Responses
Sumner County Commissioner Jeremy Mansfield said veterans were not consulted before the signs were installed and noted the reversal was prompted by their concerns. He added that the new location “without taking anything away from those we already promised to remember.” — Jeremy Mansfield, Sumner County Commissioner. State Representative Johnny Garrett selected the original site and is now supporting the relocation.
Criticism & Opposition
Vietnam veterans expressed anger and frustration that a new memorial was placed on a roadway dedicated to their fallen comrades. They argued the addition diluted the significance of the existing Vietnam Veterans Boulevard and that the decision was made without their input.
What’s Next: Relocation to Goodlettsville
The Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway designation will be moved to Long Hollow Pike in Goodlettsville, a change facilitated by Commissioner Mansfield, Representative Garrett, and the city of Goodlettsville. The new site is intended to honor Kirk while preserving the integrity of the Vietnam Veterans Boulevard memorial.
