On the corner of Hay and Hillsboro Streets in downtown Fayetteville stands a quiet witness to history. Rooted in the soil for over two and a half centuries, the sprawling Virginia live oak known as the Liberty Tree has withstood storms, progress, and time. But on Aug. 16, 2025, the tree will do more than stand, it will speak.
That Saturday, the Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation will host a public commemoration honoring the 250th anniversary of the Liberty Tree, an event deeply tied to one of North Carolina’s earliest acts of defiance against British rule. The day also marks the 85th National Airborne Day, a tribute to the first U.S. Army parachute jump in 1940, and celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Airborne & Special Operations Museum, a fixture in Fayetteville’s cultural and military identity.
While each of these milestones could command its own spotlight, together they form a powerful triad of remembrance—connecting revolutionary ideals, modern military innovation, and the enduring strength of community.
A Tree with a Story
In June of 1775, fifty-five local patriots signed the Liberty Point Resolves, pledging their lives and fortunes in support of the Continental Congress. As local lore holds, they nailed their resolution to the oak tree now known as the Liberty Tree, a bold declaration made more than a year before the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Though the exact tree from 1775 cannot be confirmed, this live oak standing strong in the Museum’s Garden is a designated symbol of that era.
“The Liberty Tree is a symbol of liberty and defiance,” said Renee Lane, Executive Director of the ASOMF. “Its strength over the past 250 years mirrors the strength we see today in the U.S. Army and in the soldiers we honor here every day.”
This year, the Foundation will place a permanent historical marker at the Liberty Tree to ensure its story is not lost in the noise of urban life.
“I’m not sure many visitors even know the tree’s significance,” Lane added. “That’s why we’re putting the marker in place so that the public can understand what it stands for, and what it meant then and now.”
Honoring Heritage Through Innovation
The day’s significance extends beyond the colonial era. Aug. 16 also marks National Airborne Day, a day proclaimed by President George W. Bush in 2002 to commemorate the first official U.S. Army parachute jump in 1940. The 85th observance will be felt keenly at the museum, especially after recent years saw commemorations paused due to the pandemic.
“This day represents both innovation and legacy,” said Maj. Ryan Bryson, a key figure in organizing the event. “Airborne tactics transformed how we fight. That spirit of adaptation still defines the paratroopers serving today.”
Bryson noted that Fayetteville, home to Fort Bragg, houses the largest population of paratroopers in the world.
“It’s only fitting that we celebrate this day here,” he said. “And not just as soldiers but alongside the community that has always supported us.”
This year’s celebration aims to reintroduce the community to the airborne world in unforgettable fashion, with interactive displays on the museum grounds that include Black Hawk helicopters, new military vehicles, and gear demonstrations. Attendees will engage directly with soldiers, try on parachutes, explore modern equipment, and even climb aboard aircraft.
“We want the public to see what our soldiers use, how they train, and who they are,” Bryson added. “It’s a rare opportunity for civilians to not just observe, but participate.”
Capt. Mistrangeol, another key contributor to the event planning, emphasized that “these interactions humanize the force. People see a uniform and forget the individual inside it. This day lets us bridge that gap with curiosity, conversation, and shared pride.”
The Museum at 25
The Airborne & Special Operations Museum opened in 2000 through efforts led by Gen. (Ret.) James Lindsay and the ASOMF. In 2005, the U.S. Army assumed official oversight of the museum, and today it serves not only as a repository of military history but as a dynamic community hub for education, reflection, and commemoration.
Inside, the museum houses immersive exhibits detailing the history of airborne and special operations from World War II to today. Jim Bartlinski, museum curator, shared that several new and rare artifacts will be unveiled in conjunction with the celebration.
Among them: a never-before-displayed balloon suit belonging to Gen. William C. Lee, widely regarded as the father of the airborne.
“It’s a significant addition,” Bartlinski explained. “It helps visitors connect to the origins of airborne training, where we came from, and how far we’ve gone.”
The museum will also feature a temporary exhibit on Special Forces and the Montagnards in Vietnam, a project curated in collaboration with the JFK Museum on Fort Bragg and six students from Jack Britt High School. “It’s a moving story of partnership and resilience,” Bartlinski said. “We’re proud to bring it to light.”
Another key highlight includes wreckage from Mogadishu’s Black Hawk Down mission, one of the museum’s most powerful displays.
“These artifacts tell the story not just of conflict,” Bartlinski said, “but of sacrifice, survival, and strength.”
Liberty Then and Now
As the morning ceremony begins at 8 a.m., the Liberty Tree will become more than a backdrop; it will be a central figure in the day’s narrative. With the marker dedication, its story will finally be shared in an enduring way, inviting reflection on liberty not just as an 18th-century ideal, but as a living, breathing call to action.
In today’s divided climate, the Liberty Tree offers a symbol of unity grounded in shared values.
“The patriots who signed the Liberty Point Resolves didn’t have all the answers,” Lane said. “But they stood together when it mattered. That’s a lesson for any era.”
This theme is reflected in Camp Flintlock, a colonial living history experience hosted on the museum’s grounds from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Children and adults alike will be able to try quill-and-ink writing, tomahawk throwing, musket demonstrations, and marching drills, offering a hands-on glimpse into the world of early American revolutionaries.
“Out the back door, you’ll see 1775,” Lane said. “Out the front, it’s 2025. The contrast is powerful and it’s intentional.”
A Day for the Public
Organizers are clear on one point: every event is free and open to the public.
“This isn’t just for the military,” Capt. Mistrangeol said. “It’s for families, students, history buffs, anyone who wants to learn, remember, or just be part of something meaningful.”
Maj. Bryson echoed that sentiment: “We see this day as a chance to pass the torch. Today’s paratroopers are writing the next chapter, and we’re inviting the community to be part of that story.”
He added, “Events like this are how we honor the past, but also how we build the future. High standards, enduring values, and an unwavering commitment to service that is the airborne spirit.”
A Day to Remember
The Aug. 16 commemoration blends historical reverence with immersive experience, creating a celebration that spans generations. Whether you come to hear the boom of a musket, tour the interior of a Black Hawk, or learn about a little-known tree that helped birth a nation, you’ll find something that speaks to your sense of place and purpose.
For a city like Fayetteville, shaped by military roots and civic pride, it is a day that reminds us not only of where we’ve been, but of where we’re going.

(Top Photo: The Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Natalie Pantalos.  Bottom Photo: U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jesse Robbins, U.S. Army Parachute Team, makes a parachute landing at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, North Carolina, 14 Aug. 2021. The event was held in celebration of National Airborne Day. U.S. Army photo by Megan Hackett)