It has been nearly a year since the assassination of conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk. He was slain during an outdoor speaking engagement in Utah on September 10, 2025. He was 31 years old. Outspoken and often polarizing, Kirk had many vocal supporters and detractors. He seemingly is as controversial after his death as he was during his life. Case in point: Signs declaring part of State Route 386 in Tennessee as Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway have been relocated, per The Tennessean.
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There was pushback from some Vietnam veterans. That roadway is also Vietnam Veterans Boulevard. The designation was bestowed in honor of 25 service members from Sumner County who lost their lives in the Vietnam War, per TV station WSMV4.
The Placement of the Charlie Kirk Signs Was Changed
Per WSMV4, Sumner County Commissioner Jeremy "Mansfield said many veterans were upset over the signs being placed on property intended to honor those who died in service." It was reportedly State Rep. Johnny Garrett who suggested the original site of the signs commemorating Charlie Kirk.
Per The Tennessean, Garrett reportedly wrote this in an omnibus bill passed three months ago. The signs would "honor the prominent political activist, media personality, and true pioneer for freedom of speech who co-founded the conservative student organization Turning Point USA and served as its executive director until his assassination in 2025."
The signs recognizing Kirk were removed from their first location. They were then put in Goodlettsville on Long Hollow Pike on Thursday, July 23.
Vietnam Veterans Allegedly Did Not Have an Opportunity To Weigh in on the Matter
According to the outlet, the input of Vietnam veterans was not sought prior to the Kirk signs being installed on Vietnam Veterans Boulevard. The president of the Tennessee Vietnam Veterans of America, Barry Rice, commented. He noted that the organization was unaware of the Kirk signs until news reports about them surfaced.
Rice shared, "We, the Vietnam veterans, did not know anything about this. We were quite angered and hurt that we saw a sign. All of a sudden, Vietnam Veterans Boulevard was renamed Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway."
