Freedom Square: People Who Fought for our Freedom
by Tiffany Chaney
The Freedom Square in Pierce honors people who fought for everyone's freedom and is a memorial.
In Gilman Park, people will find bricks inscribed with up to three names of veterans who have served in any branch of the US military and lived in Pierce County at some point in their lives.
Randy Holmes was one of the main people who led the organization and wanted to start Freedom Square for the people who sacrificed their lives for us.
As a final addition, the Freedom Square also has a black eagle piece that is in the middle of the Square, and it stands for our freedom that gold statue shows much value. When people look at it they see our freedom that veterans have fought for.
“Just got to remember the people that we don't have anymore and the people that are in the community; they all deserve recognition,” Holmes stated.
Austin Kerber, class of 2026, helped make the sign for the Freedom Square in the park. He used the plasma cutter to create the sign. He was happy to help make the sign.
“Being able to help out with such a good group organization" Kerber stated.
The sign he made was welded and plasma cut that put together the final product.
“I had dreams about doing this for years, and then my wife said finally, get off my old butt and get something done. It was, if I feel, and I just didn't think the men and women that were in the service were recognized enough, and I think this was just to make me feel better,” Holmes stated.
Holmes finally fulfilled his dreams of building Freedom square. He and his team did an excellent job on the square in Gilman Park.
“Probably getting a design and getting it ready to cut was the hardest part,” Kerber stated.
From the class of 2022, Kelton Anderson created the arching sign for the Freedom Square when he was in high school.
The square holds 400 veteran bricks and was completed by Memorial Day 2026, and 257 bricks with the names of the veterans who passed were placed in this square.
