When completed in 2028, Freedom Park at Burnham Navy Pier will be the largest public park on the West Coast designed to honor our nation’s military veterans. The USS Midway Museum and the Port of San Diego are collaborating on the park that will celebrate the region’s military history and tell the story of everyday heroes who have served our country and preserved our freedoms.
Substantial funding for the park’s construction is through the combined contributions of the Port, Midway and federal grants. However, the majority of financial resources needed to cover the Freedom Park’s more than $77 million price tag are being raised by Midway’s nationwide capital campaign committee. With more than $14 million in philanthropic offerings already committed, the fundraising effort is looking to stimulate an additional $30 million in donations over the next three years.
An important component of the capital campaign is the Freedom Park Legacy Brick program. This small but mighty endeavor is offering people a unique opportunity to leave a lasting physical vestige in the park.
“The brick campaign captures something deeply personal within a project of national significance,” said Christina Case, Freedom Park’s capital campaign director. “Every brick represents an individual story, a memory or a tribute. While many of these stories are rooted here in our region, they reflect experiences that resonate far beyond San Diego. This campaign allows us to weave together local voices into a broader national, and even international narrative of service, sacrifice and connection.”
Purchasing a commemorative brick is an opportunity to honor an active-duty servicemember or military veteran, a family member or a friend. The bricks, with names that will be permanently etched in history, will be placed in the park’s parade ground near the John Finn memorial statue.
“These bricks offer a tangible way to honor someone meaningful in your life,” said Liz Ramsey, the capital campaign manager for Freedom Park. “Whether a servicemember, a family member or even your own accomplishments, each brick provides an opportunity to commemorate a story or milestone, while securing a lasting place in history.”
The slate-gray bricks come in three sizes – 12 inches by 12 inches, 8 inches by 8 inches, and 4 inches by 8 inches – and range in donation value from $1,000 to $5,000. Personal inscriptions are engraved into each brick memorializing the individual it honors.
“What makes this opportunity so special is the way it brings together storytelling, history and community in a living, evolving space,” said Christina, who joined the Midway team in 2025. “Each brick becomes part of a larger tapestry, where personal legacies are permanently embedded within a place designed for reflection, gathering and discovery. It’s not just a recognition, it’s an invitation to be part of something enduring and deeply collective.”
“To me, Freedom Park will be hallowed ground,” said Terry Kraft, Midway president and CEO. “These bricks will be a physical memory for all to see in the park’s parade ground and I think they are beautiful. It’s a great way to remember a loved one, whether they served or not.”
Since the campaign began in late 2024, more than 550 bricks have been purchased raising nearly $475,000 in proceeds that go directly into the park’s construction. It is hoped that thousands of bricks will ultimately be laid into Freedom Park.
“People are very excited about the brick campaign,” said Liz, who has been helping manage the Freedom Park fundraising efforts for more than two years. “It means a lot to people for variety of reasons, and it is truly inspiring to be a part of. Some people chose to purchase a brick because they love the USS Midway and want a place that will always be close to her. Others purchased a brick to honor a loved one who has passed, and others have bought bricks to pay tribute to friends and family who have served.”
While the bricks will be part of a meaningful legacy in Freedom Park once installed, each purchase also comes with a replica keepsake brick that individuals can keep as a personal memento.
“While many bricks are dedicated in honor of veterans, the campaign also creates space to recognize the broader circle of people who shape our lives,” said Christina. “It’s ensuring their stories live on in a setting that invites connection for generations to come.”
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