Retired and decorated LtGen Gary McKissock will give the Freedom Address as part of the annual Freedom Fountain Observance, Thursday, November 2, 2017 at 9AM at the Fountain.
Hosted by the Onslow Civic Affairs Committee and the City of Jacksonville, the Observance will feature the Freedom Address by McKissock, a former Deputy Commandant for the Marine Corps. Previously he commanded the I Marine Expeditionary Force Logistics support base at Khanjar during Operation Desert Storm and served in various positions at Camp Lejeune during his career. He is active in military affairs for our state serving as the Committee Chair of Economic Development for the NC Military Affairs Commission.
The Lejeune High School JROTC will provide the Color Guard for the event and the New Bridge Middle School 8th Grade Chorus will perform.
Another part of the observance will be the renewal of the fountain by blending water from all around Onslow County into the fountain. Representatives of various communities of Onslow County will bring water from their area to share in the fountain symbolizing the wide geography where those who serve their Country live within the County.
The Freedom Fountain, built largely with private funds, was dedicated in 2012 to all those who pass through Onslow County in service to their Country. The current fountain replaces one that had been put in place to mark the beginning of Freedom Way in 1998 and is located at the intersection of Johnson Boulevard and New Bridge Street.
The Freedom Fountain features a center jet dedicated to Freedom, a trio of fountainheads surrounding it representing the three levels of government (Federal, State & Local), and then 50 bubblers at the rim of the edgeless pool representing the 50 states.
Many believe that the Freedom Fountain has become an icon of Jacksonville and has been a major photographic backdrop for many occasions. Learn more about the Fountain at
JacksonvilleNC.gov/FreedomFountain
The Observance is open to the public with special parking provided across the street and at City Hall during the ceremony.