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Freedom Park in Omaha, NE! WW2 Minesweeper... In Nebraska?


ParanormalTrooper
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ParanormalTrooper

Early last month I was browsing the internet looking for something fun and interesting in Omaha (like a Museum) because I still needed more driving hours to get my license. Luckily, I stumbled upon Freedom Park and knew thats where I would be going! If you live near Omaha, I highly suggest going! The sight of a WW2 minesweeper sitting in the ground in Nebraska is quite odd, but super cool. They also have a 1960s/70s training sub, too! I only have a few photos, but enjoy anyways. Oh yes, all of the helmets are original to the ship as well!

 

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ParanormalTrooper

Here's the veiw looking out of the sub... There are a few aircraft, lots of name plates off of ships, and even more. Go check it out!

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They had a bunch of other guns, I only have a couple of pics though. A Chicago piano and a destroyer gun.

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ParanormalTrooper

Oh boy, its M1 helmet time! Not 100% sure the paint is original, it they may have been repainted but I am not sure... The ship was originaly purchased for scrap, and it had a ton of stuff still on it. I believe all of the artifacts on board are original to the ship.

 

Damage control helmet

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Corpsman helmet

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Captains helmet

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There were other helmets, but by that time my phone was dead.

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Cool! Who would have guessed that was there? I haven't been through that area since passing through in 1982. But if I ever get out that way again, I know where to go! Thanks for sharing.

Mikie

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  • 3 weeks later...

Thank you for posting. I had posted a similar thread earlier:

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/144759-uss-hazard-and-freedom-park-omaha/?hl=%2Bfreedom+%2Bpark

 

As you will note in my thread, the park and the exhibits were ravaged by the Missouri river flood a few years bank. The USS Hazard actually floated and was only secured by its moorings. When it settled back down it was at an angle.

 

I almost did not recognize your photos... they have done a massive repainting of the ship, and it looks better than ever! They have also remounted the topmost portion of the mast.

 

I wasn't aware the park had reopened, and the last time I drove over to check, the gate on the road in there was locked down. The lesson learned is to check the website for their hours.

 

Here is their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FREEDOMPARK/

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  • 3 months later...

We used to do a lot of events there back in the 90's. I haven't been out to see her in recent years, but I'll have to correct that. AM 240 is definitely a nice little ship!

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Brian Keith

Great to see the "Chicago Piano", or 1.1"/75 caliber gun,real early WW II gun. These were replaced by the 20 mm & 40 mm guns. I suspect most were scrapped during the war. I have a couple of the 1.1 inch shells for them. I had to do some research to find out what they were for. Most of those were likely scrapped also.

Thanks for posting them.

BKW

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