Freedom Park in Charlotte in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Freedom Park
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 28, 2026
1. Freedom Park Marker
Freedom Park - The Park Itself
Freedom Park's history, purpose and name is directly tied to honoring America's servicemen and women of World War II.
In August of 1944, in cooperation with the Park and Recreation Commission, the Mecklenburg County Lions Club announced thel: effort to raise private funds to acquire land and construct a park in the middle of Southeast Charlotte.
The Lions Club formed a non-profit corporation called the Charlotte Park Association (CPA), which managed the design and fundraising process. The new Park was envisioned to be a "living memorial".
In March of 1945, the CPA formally launched the fund drive that successfully raised $400,000, structured to allow the public to theoretically buy $40 individual "shares" of 400-square feet in the project. This creative mathematical formula derived that one share of "contribution" accounted for each one the 10,000 Charlotteans that served in the Armed Forces.
The Park was created as the Lions Club eventually accumulated 100 acres.
The Park was named through a contest open to the public. Corporal Joe Gettis from Charlotte was stationed in
this page online
The Park was formally deeded to the City of Charlotte in 1949, and is operated and managed by Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation.
Freedom Park
CBI Monument
The China-Burma-India monument was installed in January 2000. Approximately 500 people attended the dedication on April 9th of the same year.
Larry Walker and the members of the Metrolina Basha, C.B.I. Veterans Association, worked to have the memorial installed.
The monument was erected to tell the story of the China-Burma-India Theater of war in World War II, and the various major units that were involved.
America's role in CBI was to support China by providing war materials and the manpower to where it was needed. The maiority of Americans in CBI worked to bring lend-lease supplies to China. The Flying Tigers fought the Japanese in the air over China and Burma. Army Air
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 28, 2026
2. Freedom Park Marker look uphill to Mahlon Adams Pavilion
Freedom Park
D-Day Monument
The D-Day Monument was installed in September 2015.
It was dedicated to 32 World War II veterans who fought on D-Day, and in the Ballle of Normandy, and who were from Mecklenburg County.
D-Day occured early on June 6th, 1944. In Normandy France, D-Day formally began the Allied effort to defeat Nazi Germany on the European Continent. It was lead by airborne paratroopers who dropped behind enemy positlons, followed by naval, air and amphibious landings along a 60-mlle coastal front.
The invasion included over 5,000 ships, 11,000 aircraft and 150,000 servicemen. Over 425,000 Allied and German troops were killed, wounded or went missing during the Ballle of Normandy.
This monument is one of very few D-Day monuments in North Carolina. President Franklin D. Roosevelt led a prayer to the Nation in a radio address, just hours after D-Day had started: "Almigthty God: Our
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 28, 2026
3. Freedom Park Marker looking south at the lake at Freedom Park
A small amount of sand from Omaha Beach in Normandy was placed beneath the granite Monument upon installation. On the back is a brass eagle project badge that denoted the Memorial was created by an Eagle Scout as was this Veteran Directory.
Freedom Park
Marine Corps Monument
The U.S. Marine Corps was erected in October 2013. Approximately 200 people attended the dedication on November 10th of same year, which is the birthday of the Marine Corps. This effort was also led by Larry Walker (USMC 1964-1968).
The purpose of this Memorial is to tell the story of the major campaigns Marines have been involved in around the world since inception of the Corps in 1775. It pays tribute to the dedication and valor of Marines and their fight for freedom.
The Marine Corps has been America's expeditionary force in readiness since 1775. The Marines are forward deployed to respond swiftly and aggressively in times of crisis. They are soldiers of the sea,
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 28, 2026
4. C.B.I Monument
Every Marine is a rifleman, trying to first as a disciplined warrior regardless of military occupational specialty.
Semper Fidelis distinguishes the Marine Corps brand from any other period it goes beyond teamwork it is a brotherhood that can always be counted on. Latin for "always faithful", Semper Fidelis became the Marine Corps motto in 1883. It guides Marines to remain faithful to the mission at hand, to each other, to the Corps, and to country, no matter what.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1949.
Location. 35° 11.435′ N, 80° 50.644′ W. Marker is in Charlotte, North Carolina, in Mecklenburg County. It is in Freedom Park. It can be reached from the intersection of Cumberland Avenue and Lilac Road, on the left when traveling south. Located along the walking trail north of the lake at Freedom Park, the marker sits downslope from the Mahlon Adams Pavilion. The closest access is from the west parking lot
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 28, 2026
5. D-Day Monument
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: U.S. Marine Corps (a few steps from this marker); D-Day Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Herbert Spaugh, Bishop (within shouting distance of this marker); Trees Charlotte (within shouting distance of this marker); C.B.I. (within shouting distance of this marker); Dwight D. Eisenhower/ Gerald R. Ford (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The North Carolina Liberty Tree (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Freedom Park (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlotte.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 10, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
