Monroe in Topeka in Shawnee County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Freedom Tree
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 4, 2025
1. The Freedom Tree Marker
for all mankind
this tree is dedicated to
Maj Bruce Johnson
and all
Prisoners of War
and
Missing in Action
Erected 1973.
Location. 39° 2.828′ N, 95° 40.714′ W. Marker is in Topeka, Kansas, in Shawnee County. It is in Monroe. It is on Southwest 10th Street west of Southwest Jackson Street, on the right when traveling west. The plaque is at ground level near the south facing steps of the Kansas State Capitol. It is along the Kansas Veterans' Walk. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 SW 10th St, Topeka KS 66612, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in Eastern Kansas. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named The Freedom Tree (here, next to this marker); Kansas Veterans' Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Gold Star Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Crime Victims' Rights Tree (a few steps from this marker); Kansas Veterans' Walk (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Kansas Veterans' Walk (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named
this page online
Also see . . . 'I felt safe in my father's love'. Harbor Beach family turns Vietnam War loss into legacy of hope and service (Huron Daily Tribune article, June 10, 2025)<blockquote>Bruce H. Johnson has a photo of his father, Harbor Beach native and U.S. Army Captain Bruce Johnson, down on one knee and surrounded by a small group of Vietnamese orphans during the war.
Johnson cherishes the picture now, but when he was growing up, he said he felt some resentment toward those children when he looked at the photograph. I wanted that to be me, he said. The photo was taken about two weeks before Captain Johnsons helicopter was shot down near a special forces camp close to a place known as Dong Xoai on June 10, 1965, as Johnson, 27, and other soldiers flew to the base to assist survivors following an attack. Johnson was believed to be the only survivor of the crash. A couple of days after the crash, military members searched the crash site and were told by villagers that the Viet Cong had taken an American prisoner. Johnson was declared missing in action. (Submitted on August 20, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 4, 2025
2. The Freedom Tree and Marker
Additional keywords. POW, MIA
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 4, 2025
3. The Freedom Tree Marker near the south facing steps of the Kansas State Capitol
Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 83 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 20, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
