Liberation

Liberation is a bronze sculpture in Liberty State Park in New Jersey depicting an American soldier carrying a Holocaust survivor. The artwork stands about 15 feet tall and weighs approximately 2 tons, with details that emphasize the tenderness of the moment and the human connection between the two figures.

Artist Nathan Rapoport created this memorial in the 1980s, inspired by his own escape as a Polish refugee fleeing Nazi invasion. His personal experience of displacement and rescue shaped the visual narrative of this work.

The sculpture conveys the bond between liberation and human compassion, something visitors experience when observing how the soldier and survivor are positioned together. This placement in the park invites reflection on freedom and moral responsibility in the context of American history.

The memorial is located in an easily accessible area of Liberty State Park with pathways allowing visitors to view the sculpture from different angles. The park offers ample space to linger and has clear signage to help locate the artwork.

The artwork appeared on the cover of the Department of Defense Guide to Observances, giving special recognition to its importance as a symbol of military humanitarian action. This official acknowledgment underscores how the memorial represents the connection between military strength and compassion.