Jacksonville in Duval County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Hero's Walk & Freedom Trees
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 12, 2025
1. Heros Walk & Freedom Trees
The "Vietnam War Memorial" at Cecil Field was originally dedicated on September 11, 1973 by the families and service members who wanted to ensure these brave men would never be Forgotten. Trees were planted for each pilot and markers added with engravings. A driving force behind establishing the memorial was Mary Hoff, wife of MIA pilot LCDR Michael G. Hoff. Along with other spouses and family members, they assisted in making the memorial a reality.
Mary was also instrumental in developing the universal symbol known as the POW/MIA flag. Besides the American flag, this is the only other flag authorized to fly over the White House and the only other flag that can fly on the same pole as the American flag. Undoubtedly, this flag has become a very important symbol for the POWs and MIAs, their families and friends, and the enduring cause that they will never be Forgotten
Emotional Moment Mrs. Mary Hoff fights back tears as she thanks everyone for their efforts in making the Vietnam War Memorial at Cecil Field a reality. In front of the podium is the National POW/MIA logo which she was instrumental in creating, which
this page online
Erected 1973 by Naval Aviation Enlisted Crewmembers Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military.
Location. 30° 13.788′ N, 81° 53.437′ W. Marker is in Jacksonville, Florida, in Duval County. It can be reached from POW-MIA Memorial Parkway (Interstate 81) south of Lake Newman Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6112 POW-MIA Memorial Parkway, Jacksonville FL 32221, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Florida’s First Coast. It is also in the American South and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically,
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 12, 2025
2. Heros Walk & Freedom Trees Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: CDR Peter Schoeffel (here, next to this marker); Heros Walk of NAS Cecil Field (here, next to this marker); LCdr. Lee Cole (a few steps from this marker); LCDR Phil Craig (a few steps from this marker); LCDR M. Scott Speicher (a few steps from this marker); Spirit of Cecil Field (a few steps from this marker); LCDR John Davis (a few steps from this marker); LCDR Denver Key (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jacksonville.
Also see . . .
1. Heroes' Walk & Freedom Trees. National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum (Submitted on October 17, 2025.)
2. Pow ★ MiA. U.S. Department of War (Submitted on October 14, 2025.)
3. POW/MIA Throughout U.S. History. Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (Submitted on October 14, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
4. History of NAS Cecil Field (pdf file). The National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum (Submitted on October 14, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 64 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 14, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
