The Price of Liberty
historical marker
In Austin, Travis County, Texas, stands the historical marker known as "The Price of Liberty." This memorial was dedicated on December 2, 2017, and erected by the Texas War Memorial Foundation. It specifically honors Texas military members and their families who answered their country's call after September 11, 2001. The monument commemorates those who served during the Global War on Terror. The bronze statue, sculpted by Sandra Van Zandt, depicts a service member and their family in a moment of parting before an overseas deployment. A distinctive feature is that the "Liberty" figure within the sculpture was modeled after "The Goddess of Liberty" found on the Texas Capitol dome, connecting it to Texas history. Designed with direct input and financial support from Gold Star Families, the memorial uniquely focuses on the sacrifices made by military families. Located on the southeast corner of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission building, this site provides a place for reflection on their service and the cost of liberty.