Pearl Harbor Survivor Memorial

A tribute forged in steel

Designed by Rick Wesley to evoke the prow of a naval vessel cutting through open water, the Pearl Harbor Survivor Memorial is the symbolic heart of Freedom Park. Wesley built the structure from steel that, when struck, resonates with the same deep sound as the inside of a ship's hull — a deliberate and haunting detail that connects visitors to the lived experience of those who served aboard WWII vessels.

The memorial was conceived as more than a monument. It is a gathering point — a place where the community comes together to remember, to reflect, and to honor the men and women whose service made Freedom Park's founding story possible.

Freedom Park itself was dedicated on July 4th, 2003, a date chosen deliberately to honor both the nation's independence and the Pearl Harbor survivors whose stories inspired the park's creation.

Bell from the USS Cape Mears

Positioned near the Pearl Harbor Memorial is the original ship's bell from the USS Cape Mears — a WWII transport vessel. Designed and installed by Dan Nelson, the bell serves as a tangible artifact of the war, giving visitors the rare opportunity to stand in the presence of a genuine piece of history.

When the bell rings across the park grounds, it connects the present moment to the stories of the men and women who served aboard ships like the Cape Mears — stories that Freedom Park was built to honor.