A visit to Freedom Park
by Timothy Dike
Most of us have been to at least one of the many Coastal Ship Museums to visit some of the many Nautical subjects. But what does one do if they live in the landlocked midwest? Well Ship lovers take heart, there is a port of call worth a visit located deep in the heart of the country, I'm speaking about Freedom Park, located on the Missouri river in Omaha, Nebraska. The Battleship's Iowa and Missouri both draw too much water to get anywhere near their namesake states. But you can board the USS Hazard AM-240, a WW2 Minesweeper that served in the Pacific theater.  The Hazard was permanently grounded to allow for easier maintenance, not very attractive, but it does give you complete access to the ship. The dual 40 mm guns mounts are fully trainable, and you can inspect the twin 20 mm mounts up close. With the exception of some of the machinery spaces, you have complete access to the ship.

Oops looks like we've run aground!

Another treat is the USS Marlin SST-2, not the biggest boat in the fleet, but it does give you an appreciation for the Sailors that went to see on them, talk about claustrophobia. The sub has a door cut into the side of the to allow people to board, a necessary evil, as I can't imagine many visitor crawling down the hatch.

Freedom Park is a National Historic Landmark operated by the Greater Omaha Military Historical Society, a non-profit organization, to gather and exhibit equipment and memorabilia from the pages of naval history from World War II through the present. Displays are constantly being added to and enhanced. Freedom Park is dedicated 'In honor of those who served, in tribute to those who perished, in gratitude to those now serving'. Along with the Ships there are a number of aircraft and weapons mounted around the park, for closer inspection including Shipboard rocket launchers, 1.1 inch Anti-aircraft gun, Captain's gig from missile destroyer USS Towers DDG-9, 30,000 pound anchor from the USS Wasp CV-18 and many others in their Anchor and Propellor Garden, 5 inch 38 Gun Turret, ASROC Missile Launcher, and a Douglas A-4D Skyhawk to name a few. There is also a nice picnic space available for groups to get together. So if you are stuck in the middle of the continent and can't drive to one of the coasts, then plan a trip to Omaha and visit the next best thing.
 
 

Click Thumbnails for larger image.
A 1:1 Waterline Ship looking down on the aft 40mm gun tubs My photo assistant Daniel at the searchlight a bridge shot from the main deck this was suposed to be a shot of me, but look at those rockets!
Daniel has a 727 in his sites! another waterline shot that target is toast if this 1.1 can hold together for a few shots 5 inch 38 cal turret how about this baby!
Tank Landing Ship forward deck Looking aft from the LST Marlin with the LST in the background SST Marlin 1:1 full hull kit. The author gets turn at the dual 40's

THE LSM-45 WAS REMOVED FROM FREEDOM PARK AND IS NOW LOCATED AT THE MARINE CORPS MUSEUM OF THE CAROLINAS IN NORTH CAROLINA.  This Tank landing craft was only recently acquired from Greece and still bears some of that countries markings.

Freedom Park information;

Hours of Operation

     Open daily April 15th through October 1st
     Adults - $4.00
     Senior Citizens - $3.00
     Children 5 and Over - $2.50
     Children Under 5 - Free
     Special rates for groups & tours - Call or Write

Location Summary

     Take Abbott Drive from downtown Omaha to Seward Street (stop light) or the
     Storz Expressway from the north. Turn east onto Seward where you see the
     Freedom Park U.S. Naval Museum sign. Then take an immediate left onto
     Freedom Park Road and follow to the park.
 
 

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