If you’re in the downtown Waco area you really should stop by, at least for a few minutes, to see the Doris Miller memorial. This fellow gave his life at Pearl Harbor for our country that was not recognized appropriately for his bravery for many years, including in his hometown of Waco. Very nice tribute and a place you could hang out and think about your freedom and those to pay the ultimate price to keep us free.

Well here's why. Doris Miller served in WW2 in the US Navy and was African American. He was told he would get no where in the Navy due to the color of his skin. Doris Miller who was by the way a Waco native was the only US navy personnel to shoot back at the Japanese bombing Pearl Harbor firing a 50 caliber anti aircraft gun which he was not trained to use. It is believed that he downed 1 to 4 Japanese zeros during the attack. for this he was the first African American to receive the Navy Cross. two years later he died when his ship was sunk by a Japanese torpedo. The Navy just announced that the new Aircraft Carrier CVN81 will be named the USS Doris Miller. At the park is a statue of Doris and the same park contains the suspension bridge and Chisholm Trail Statues mentioned in another review. There is also a walking path along the Brazos River through the park

Waco’s own hero at Pearl Harbor - this is a great start. I think it may be privately funded. It doesn’t look quite finished but what is there is very well done. Worth a visit.

My husband and I ran across this small park while we were touring Waco. The park is located on the north side of the Brazos River next to the suspension bridge. There is a playscape for the kids, plenty of parking and has a nice view of the river. There are a few parks along the Brazos River next the suspension bridge.