Mike Newhouse had a few moments Tuesday before hosting a Veteran’s Day program in front of the Vietnam Memorial wall at Siouxland Freedom Park to look back.
In the fall of 2007, a traveling version of the Vietnam Memorial had made a stop in South Sioux City, and the experience was something that Newhouse and several other Siouxland-area veterans thought should find a permanent home here.
Four years later, work began on what is now Siouxland Freedom Park, a 55-acre space that continues to evolve as a tribute to those who gave of themselves in service for our nation’s freedom over the past 249 years.
The half-scale replica of the Vietnam Wall was the first exhibit that was constructed back in May of 2014, and from there the park has continued to expand and add more memorials to honor those veterans who served in each of the United States military branches.
Even today, the 81-year-old veteran, who retired this week as president of the Freedom Park Board of Directors, is amazed at how the project has come together.
“(City administrator) Lance Hedquist and I were sitting at a local establishment a few months ago, and I said to him, ‘Tell me the truth — 15 years ago did you really think Freedom Park had a chance in hell of happening?’ and he said no,” Newhouse said. “And he was right.”
The park got off to a slow start, but with support from groups like the South Sioux City Chamberettes, the local schools and others, the park’s momentum picked up. Several hundred thousand dollars have been raised to help, including a $10,000 donation made Tuesday by the Chamberettes.
“What’s been most rewarding to me is seeing how the public here has embraced Siouxland Freedom Park as ours,” Newhouse said. “It’s really a source of pride, and it doesn’t matter which side of the river you’re on or which state you’re in. It’s an attraction for everyone.”
In the past several years, the park’s attractions have snowballed, from the Freedom Rock and the Korean Veterans memorial to the John Douangdara Memorial Dog Park and the Brigadier General Bud and Doris Day Interpretive Center. Recently, a reconditioned A-7 D Corsair II aircraft was put in place at the east entrance to the park and the ribbon was cut Tuesday on the new A Place To Remember Recording Studio.
Newhouse has been involved in the park’s birth and growth over the years, and is amazed at how the park has grown during the past 15 years.
“The evolution of Freedom Park has been much more elaborate than we ever imagined at the beginning, and it continues to evolve,” he said, noting that the Knights of Columbus are raising funds for a memorial for military chaplains, and future projects include a memorial for Gulf War-era veterans.
“It’s their turn,” he said.
Newhouse said he’s anxious to see how the park continues to evolve as he steps away from his position on the board.
“I plan to enjoy watching from the sidelines,” he said with a smile. “There’s a great crew of directors and volunteers who continue to put the finishing touches on a project that may never be finished. Fifty years from now when we’re all gone, the (Vietnam) Wall will still be there.”
