Heroism Memorials

FREEDOM MEMORIAL

POW/MIA MEMORIAL

Every war has its heroes, among them are those who suffered in captivity at the hands of the enemies of our country, our Prisoner of War (POW) and those still Missing in Action (MIA).  Those who were captured, survived their brutal imprisonment and came home, carrying their wounds until their death.  Those still missing in action leave a family wondering their fate, waiting, still waiting.  It is to these brave warriors that this monument was dedicated on April 9, 2016.  The bronze stars on the monument honor those POWs and MIAs who entered the military as a resident of Hillsborough County.  A total of 104 of these warriors are accounted for.  The sculpture kneeling in captivity was created in the likeness of former POW Don Denny.  Don was such a patriot that he falsified his birth certificate so he could enlist in the U S Army in 1947 at the age of 15. He went to Korea in August 1950 but was captured on May 18, 1951.  He was held in Camps 1 and 3 and was a POW for 27 months.  He was released August 20, 1953 after the truce talks and he was discharged from Camp Carson, Colorado.  Don passed away shortly before the memorial dedication.

Medal of Honor Memorial

This Memorial was placed on the same small island with the Freedom Memorial as a reminder that all who have served, all who are serving and all who will serve are indeed heroes.  Volunteering to serve in uniform brings honor and respect as well as the implied promise of honorable service to the country.  Hillsborough County has the honor to have two Medal of Honor heroes, US Marine Corp Lieutenant Baldomero Lopez was awarded the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Korean War and US Army Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith for gallantry during the Iraq War, both perished while protecting their fellow service members from enemy assaultThis Memorial was placed on the same small island with the Freedom Memorial as a reminder that all who have served, all who are serving and all who will serve are indeed heroes.  Volunteering to serve in uniform brings honor and respect as well as the implied promise of honorable service to the country.  Hillsborough County has the honor to have two Medal of Honor heroes, US Marine Corp Lieutenant Baldomero Lopez was awarded the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Korean War and US Army Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith for gallantry during the Iraq War, both perished while protecting their fellow service members from enemy assault

PURPLE HEART MEMORIAL

The Purple Heart Memorial is a wonderful envision of a Purple Heart recipient, of the Viet Nam era.  Army Sgt. Gerard Abbett and along with the collaborated efforts of William Ballans of J & B Designs & Presentations, both of whom are members of the Veteran Memorial Park and Museum Committee (VMPMC).

The main features are the four large concrete wings with large granite memorial plaques. Centered within these wings is a tall black granite obelisk with large colored bronze reliefs of the Purple Hearts Medal. There are also, two large concentric circular areas that make up the main plaza area, which surrounds the centered memorial.

The outer circular area of the plaza area pays tribute to all those that given the ultimate sacrifice for their country with in-laid and inscribed red granite plaques.  The center circular plaza area consist of red pavers to denote the blood that was shed. Around the outer perimeter of the plaza area are specialty inscribed benches which pay a special tribute to those that have fallen in battle by name and to those from Hillsborough County.

The memorial tells of the history of the medal from its birth by General Washington in Revolutionary times, to its re-birth by General MacArthur in 1932.

The other large granite plaques show the staggering numbers of those, by service and that of individuals, whom have been awarded this very high honor. The sole purpose is to Honor those who gave their lives and the others who shed their blood in defense of this Country’s freedoms and beliefs.

FIELD OF HONOR MEMORIAL

The Field of Honor Remembrance Ceremony began in 2005 under the direction and guidance of the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County, Inc. and pays tribute to those brave Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airman and Coast Guardsman who have made the ultimate sacrifice in fighting the Global War on terrorism to protect our freedoms.  The names of those who gave their lives in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn are engraved in large granite plaques which were relocated from Cholera Park in Tampa to Veterans Memorial Park in 2013.

A ceremony to honor these heroes and other military service members who died while serving the country is held bi-annually on the second Saturday of the month at 1000 in April and October.  On those months, the names of those service members who lost their lives during the previous six months are read aloud and an American Flag is placed in a specially designed ceremonial receptacle for each name read.  Local veterans organizations host the reading of the names and the public in attendance assists in placing the flags in the proper location.

Gold Star family members participate in these remembrance ceremonies to pay special tribute to their loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our national freedoms.  Their participation in these remembrance ceremonies has inspired us all as we share their loss of a loved one in military service to America.

SUBMARINERS MEMORIAL

The Submariners Memorial was moved and rededicated at Veterans Memorial Park April 13, 1996 after removal from its’ original site at the Naval Training Center in Orlando in April 1980.

This Memorial is to honor and perpetuate the memory of the officers and men who lost their lives while serving in the U S Submarine Force during WWII.

COMMITTED FORCES MEMORIAL

The Committed Forces Memorial represents the five branches of the Military that were involved in various conflicts around the world but were not declared a War. The centerpiece represents the World with the bronze globe and the granite plaques representing the 5 branches of the military. Outside of the planted area is a “story-book” of History performed by our Military throughout the world since the “Barbary Wars” in 1801.

This Memorial has 26 individual podiums with descriptions and photo’s that describe the specific event and the impact it had on our military forces.  Search for these conflicts and events by viewing the slide show on the right.

1801 – 1958

1962 – 1991

1983 – 1995

2002 – 2011