Freedom Memorial - El Dorado, Kansas
Freedom Memorial - El Dorado, Kansas
The Celebration of Freedom Memorial is dedicated to the men and women of the Butler County, Kansas community who have served to further the freedom of our great nation. Located on the front lawn of the historic Butler County Courthouse 205 W Central, El Dorado, Kansas, the memorial is made up of a center half circle walkway and a walkway on the East and West sides.
The entrance to the memorial walkway is marked by a Signers Panel located beneath the flag pole. The panel contains the names of the 56 Americans who signed the Declaration of Independence, and in addition - George Washington, the Father of our country; Patrick Henry, the Voice of Freedom; and George Mason, the Pen of Freedom.
Flanking the flag pole on the East is what is often referred to as the Eagle Side. The centerpiece is a six and one-half foot bald eagle cast bronze sculpture entitled "Sovereign Wings", designed by Sandy Scott , a widely acclaimed sculptor. The more than life size eagle is poised majestically for flight on top of brick and limestone base. Scott’s design of this piece won the Gold Medal in Colorado’s Bronze Statue Art Contest.
The Eagle Side memorial wall is a six and one-half foot high brick semi-circle. Six pieces of black granite are inset in the wall and feature the Great Seal of the United States of America and individual emblems of the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy. On the west side of the Eagle side, an extended wall that slopes to the ground provides additional aesthetic value.
The walkway is made up of 33 mahogany granite panels. The first panel contains the POW and MIA emblem. Each of the remaining panels is divided into brick-shaped sections and engraved with over 900 names of veterans, those currently serving, and non-veterans. Additional panels can be added in the future. Twelve black granite benches are situated along the memorial walk.
The west section of the Celebration of Freedom Memorial is often referred to as the Liberty side. The centerpiece to this section is the Miss Liberty statue that was originally presented to the Butler County community by local troops of the Boy Scouts of America on June 14, 1950. The statue is one of approximately two hundred replicas of the Statue of Liberty which were purchased and dedicated by Boy Scout troops all over the United States. Miss Liberty stands atop a limestone pedestal that is surrounded by a star-shaped wall that was once a flower bed, but has since been filled with concrete.
The walkway leading from the entrance to Miss Liberty is much like that which leads to the eagle. Mahogany granite panels bear the names of those who have served in the armed forces and others that have contributed to the preservation of freedom in one way or another. There are approximately 500 names on the walkway of the Miss Liberty side of the memorial with room for expansion. The pathway is lined with black granite benches.
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