Admiral Mason Park
is a 5.5-acre City of Pensacola park located in the Hawkshaw area along
Pensacola Bay, at the intersection of 9th Avenue and Bayfront Parkway.
From the 1950s to the early 80s it was the site of a baseball stadium
called Admiral Mason Park. The ballpark was named in honor of Charles
P. Mason, a Vice Admiral in the United States Navy and two-time Mayor
of Pensacola. After the stadium was demolished, the land was partitioned
to create the adjacent Veterans Memorial Park. The
remaining undeveloped space was used informally for soccer and other
sports, and for overflow parking during festivals and events in the
Seville Square Historic District. Due to occasional flooding, the park
is not longer used for sports. |
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Below: Karen and Lee Duquette
on their Segway tour. |
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Below: Karen Duquette, ducks
and flowers |
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Veterans Memorial Park, S
10th Ave, Pensacola is dedicated to the memories of those who sacrificed
their lives in the defense of this nation.
CREDIT: Comments about the memorials are from http://www.veteransmemorialparkpensacola.com |
Below: "The
Marine Aviation Memorial Tower pays tribute to those
men and women of America who swore an oath to defend this nation by
serving with Marine Aviation in all warfare specialties, including those
Marines who have maintained, crewed, controlled and supported Marine
Aviation training and operations. The Memorial is dedicated to all who
have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to this great nation. " |
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Below - The Purple Heart Memorial:
"The Purple Heart is the oldest American military combat honor
still in existence. Awarded to those who are wounded or killed in any
action against an enemy of the United States, the Purple Heart is a
symbol of courage and dedication in the face of mortal danger. The Purple
Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to
any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving
under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed
Services after April 5, 1917, has been wounded or killed. This monument
is dedicated to those honorable and brave individuals." |
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Below - World War I Monument:
"Veterans Memorial Park is home to Pensacola's World War I
Monument. This marble memorial was moved from it's Garden street location,
to Veterans Memorial Park by the Vietnam Veterans of Northwest Florida
(VVNF). As the number of WW I Vets was declining, and the fact they
were unable to raise the needed funds to accomplish this task, it became
part of the overall effort by VVNF to open Veterans Memorial Park and
Wall South to the community in order remember the men and women who
died in the service of our Country, whether in time of war or in peace."
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Below - World War II monument:
"The monument is designed to represent the entire national
effort in WW II, highlighting those who formed the tip of the spear
in this effort, the combat troops. Be they Army, Navy, Marines, Coast
Guard, Army Air Corp., or Merchant Marine. The design consists of a
12 foot high centerpiece of a white marble Roman numeral II faced with
a bronze V for victory. Surrounding the centerpiece, are larger than
life bronze figures, representing the American fighting forces and the
women that served. The molds used for the figures of this monument are
available for use by any other organization. Rental fee is $20000 per
mold. Ground breaking for the World War II monument was performed on
Veterans Day 2001. Dedication was held on November 16 2002, after the
planned Veterans Day dedication was rained out." |
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Below - Korean War Monument:
"In 2004 the hundreds of local veterans of Korea began action
to recognize the values of that war. They were aided by willing volunteers,
and together raised $350,000 to place a memorial honoring all who served.
That memorial now stands alongside monuments recognizing sacrifices
of those who served in World War I, World War II, and Vietnam. The committee
of veterans and citizens selected Judge Tarbuck to be the campaign chairman.
Co-Chairman was Lieutenant General Robert Keller, USMC, retired. General
Keller was a Major when fighting as a pilot over 50 years ago. The memorial
is located within a few yards of the WWII memorial completing the Veterans
Park along Bay Front Parkway. The memorial is oval shaped, with a tall
granite plaque in the center which shows the outline of Korea, and selected
data about the war. Three bronze figures represent ALL of the military
services, and, especially those who fought on the ground. One figure
illustrates humanitarian efforts by allies on behalf of the Korean people.
Two bronze statues accurately depict an ongoing battle with a platoon
commander and his radio operator. The statues were completed by Captain
Robert Rasmussen, USN, retired, and Mr. Randy New, a local school teacher." |
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Below: "Vietnam War
Veterans Memorial Park is the home to Vietnam Veterans of Northwest
Florida's Wall South, a one half scale model of the Vietnam Memorial
Wall in Washington, D.C. Wall South is 256 feet long, each wing is 128
feet long, and consists of 32 panels per wing. Height at the center
is 8 feet 2 inches and descends in height to two inches at the ends
As noted earlier, the Wall South lists the names of all 58,219 men and
women listed as KIA or MIA from the war in Vietnam. The names are inscribed
in the black granite face of the two walls." |
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Below - Monument to Children:
"A bronze statue of a little girl wearing a soldier’s
combat helmet represents the bravery and sacrifice of all children who
endured the difficulty of having deployed family members. This monument
was presented by the Children of America’s Twentieth Century Heroes
on Veterans Day, 2000. Entitled, "Homecoming,” this statue depicts
a hopeful child, awaiting her father’s return. " |
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Below: "Submarine
Vets: Submarine Lifeguard League refers to operations assigned to Pacific
Fleet Submarines from 1943 through 1945. Submarines assigned were to
patrol close inshore during aerial bombardment of enemy held islands
and to perform rescue duties for any aircraft shot down while in the
target area. Starting in 1943, with the Gilbert Islands campaign and
concluding at the cessation of hostilities in 1945. The record success
shows that 503 Aviators and crew were rescued and the 504th being none
other than former President George W. Bush. Many of these rescues were
conducted under heavy enemy fire which gravely endangered the boat and
its 87 crew members. Nor was it the most popular duty among the Submarines
that were assigned. However they replied simply "Aye, Aye Sir! Then
simply went out and did a superlative job." |
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Below -The Minuteman Memorial:
"The Minutemen statue honors the soldiers who sacrificed everything
in efforts for U.S. independence. Cast from the same mold as the Concord
Minutemen of 1775 statue, the statues’ features are based on what
a minuteman of that era would favor. These soldiers were units of militia
who underwent extensive training to be prepared for war at a minute’s
notice. " |
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Below: The Hawkshaw Lagoon
Memorial Park was designed and has been designated to
serve as the National Memorial to Missing Children.
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"Not only a place of solace
for families and friends of missing children, but also an open
classroom for the Pensacola's history and rich nature. Every day,
in this country alone, 2,300 children are reported
missing. A majority are runaways, but unfortunately many are abducted
by non-custodial relatives or strangers." |
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AFTER 
