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May 26, 2014

Freedom Rocks

34 Comments/ 5506/ 0

Memorial Day is a US federal holiday wherein the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces are remembered.  THANK YOU to all who have served!

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Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II is on a quest.  To honor our veterans. This likable young man has a gift and a passion to honor every veteran who has served and who has made a difference.  He watched the movie “Saving Private Ryan” and was inspired to do something that would be a unique way of acknowledging their service. His artistic talent enabled him to paint an 60 + ton boulder in rural Iowa with depictions patriotic and inspiring scenes named The Freedom Rock.  This scene is repainted yearly (since 1999) with a different scene and is done solely without compensation.  The artist is supported by family and friends.  I have not been to the actual Freedom Rock so I can not post pictures of it here without infringing on someone else’s work but I can direct you to “Bubba’s” Facebook page where you can view the current rock.  Click here to open this page in a new window.

What I can show you are the pictures that I was able to take when I happened upon the artist working on a small version of a Freedom Rock on his Freedom Rock Tour.   I had just picked up my books for World Book Night 2014 at the Britt Public Library and we were driving home when I spied out of the corner of my little eye something that made me say “Chris—pull over!”.  Which he did.  I got out of the car with camera in hand and approached “Bubba” and had a short conversation with him about what he was doing.  The Freedom Rock Tour was started by Sorenson and will continue for a few summers as his goal is to paint a small Freedom Rock version in each of the 99 counties in Iowa.  The day I picked up my books was my lucky day because he was in the process of painting the Hancock County rock.

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A former serviceman (whose name I forgot to write down) thanking Sorenson for his work.

A former serviceman (whose name I forgot to write down) thanking Sorensen for his work.

I have not been back to Britt to see the completed rock but definitely have that on my to do list.  Bubba’s three goals for the tour  as stated on his website:

1) Honor America’s Veterans

2) Promote Iowa tourism

3) Provide for my family

If you are interested in either having your Iowa county represented there is a downloadable application here that will help that process along.  More details on the location of the massive Freedom Rock and locations of the other finished rocks that are included on The Freedom Rock Tour are also available on his website which can be accessed by simply clicking here.

I was so impressed by this young man and his talent and passion to honor American’s veterans and promote tourism for the state of Iowa.  Now it’s your turn—if you are a in Iowa you need to check out these artistic renderings and let me know which is your favorite.  Thank you to Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II for your gift to the state of Iowa.

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Britt Britt Public Library Bubba Freedom Rock Freedom Rock Tour Iowa Memorial Day Ray "Bubba" Sorensen II Saving Private Ryan United States Veteran WBN2014
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34 Comments

Leave a comment
  1. Marla aka Crazy Mom
    May 26, 2014 at 07:06 am

    I had heard of Freedom Rock; but I can’t remember where. Cool project!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann
      May 26, 2014 at 07:41 am

      I think has probably been publicized all over the place but I was thrilled to happen upon him while he was painting this small one in Britt. Great mission for this young man.

      Reply
  2. Virginia
    May 26, 2014 at 07:37 am

    Never heard of Freedom Rock – what a wonderful ministry! And I just told Mitchell that 29 years ago today – his daddy went over to the Orlando airport to video President Reagan and Air Force One so he could show Mitchell one day.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann
      May 26, 2014 at 07:40 am

      Oh my goodness—that is quite a memory. 🙂 For you and for Mitchell. Happy Memorial Day!

      Reply
  3. William Aiken
    May 26, 2014 at 07:46 am

    The Freedom Rock gives me another reason to visit Iowa!

    Reply
  4. McGuffy Ann
    May 26, 2014 at 07:53 am

    A beautiful mission, indeed.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann
      May 26, 2014 at 07:55 am

      Thanks, McGuffy Ann for stopping by. Happy Birthday!

      Reply
  5. Jennifer Flaa (@JeniEats)
    May 26, 2014 at 08:50 am

    Thanks for telling us about this cool project! We thank God every day that my brother in law is home safe after two tours in Afghanistan. Thankful for his and everyone else in our armed forces’ service.

    Reply
  6. middleageddiva
    May 26, 2014 at 09:03 am

    He is a talented artist.
    Carol
    http://carolcassara.com/oh-book/

    Reply
  7. Debbie
    May 26, 2014 at 02:07 pm

    Hadn’t heard of this before, so thanks for educating me! What a talent, and how cool that Iowa tourism can get in on it!

    Reply
  8. Memorial Day
    May 26, 2014 at 02:10 pm

    […] loved this Memorial Day story from writer Beth Ann: Freedom Rocks — about a young painter in Iowa  using his artistic talents to honor American […]

    Reply
  9. poemsandponderings
    May 26, 2014 at 05:05 pm

    An honorable undertaking by an honorable young man.. Thanks Bubba and Beth Ann.

    Reply
  10. behindthemask
    May 26, 2014 at 08:02 pm

    He’s very talented. Here in Canada we have Remembrance Day on Nov. 11. My heart and life was changed when a veteran I was caring for (as a care aid) told me one of his horrific stories from the war. We cried together and I thanked him. It changed me that day. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann
      May 27, 2014 at 06:58 am

      Why did I not realize you were Canadian? I love my Canadian friends!!! 🙂 I loved your story—-you definitely had a moving experience with a veteran. I can not imagine what our veterans have seen and done for us.

      Reply
      1. behindthemask
        May 27, 2014 at 09:57 am

        ahaha I thought that you knew but then why would you?

        It was a really powerful moment with my client. He was dying at the time and had never told the story, not even to his wife.

        I can’t imagine all that they go through either. When I think of it too much it brings me to tears for them, for their families.

        Reply
  11. Rorybore
    May 26, 2014 at 11:42 pm

    what a brilliant idea – and a talented and generous, thoughtful man. the rock art is just beautiful.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann
      May 27, 2014 at 06:55 am

      Thanks, I agree. He has quite a talent and is using it in a really great way.

      Reply
  12. My Odd Family
    May 27, 2014 at 09:17 am

    Funny, I just learned about this yesterday when a client – photographer returning from Iowa mentioned it to me. She was so excited by some of her pictures and the artist.
    The idea rocks!

    Reply
  13. Minnesota Prairie Roots
    May 27, 2014 at 10:00 am

    What an incredible gift. So happy you happened upon him and that Chris pulled over.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann
      May 28, 2014 at 07:03 am

      He really is an amazing young man who has found something he loves to do and has couple that with honoring our veterans.

      Reply
  14. benzeknees
    May 27, 2014 at 07:26 pm

    What a great idea! I wonder how long the painting lasts?

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann
      May 28, 2014 at 06:57 am

      I think it lasts a long time —not sure if it is forever but I would imagine he uses paint that holds up well under our weather.

      Reply
  15. pattisj
    May 27, 2014 at 07:40 pm

    Yes, thank you, Ray. Thanks for sharing, Beth Ann you find the best people, stories, and causes.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann
      May 28, 2014 at 06:56 am

      I was really glad that I happened upon him. I had heard of the Freedom Rock but did not know he was doing smaller rocks in other counties.

      Reply
  16. Lily
    May 31, 2014 at 08:31 am

    This is such a cool project. Freedom does indeed ROCK!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann
      May 31, 2014 at 09:24 am

      Thanks!!!! He does a great job.

      Reply
  17. Jennifer
    May 31, 2014 at 09:16 am

    God bless our veterans, Freedom isn’t free!!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann
      May 31, 2014 at 09:18 am

      Thanks, Jennifer!!! I need to get busy and respond to all your comments!!!

      Reply
  18. Margie Pillsbury Chambers
    May 31, 2014 at 08:10 pm

    I have never heard of this. Thanks for posting.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann
      June 01, 2014 at 07:40 am

      You are welcome! He was a really nice young man as well!

      Reply
  19. Leslie
    May 31, 2014 at 08:12 pm

    This blog and the following comments definitely reminded me of some of the things that I’m going to miss about the States. God bless America!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann
      June 01, 2014 at 07:39 am

      God Bless America indeed!

      Reply
  20. Ann Pillsbury
    June 01, 2014 at 09:56 pm

    That is such a nice thing to do.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann
      June 02, 2014 at 06:59 am

      He is a really devoted guy and quite a wonderful artist.

      Reply

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