The Freedom Rock, located just south of Interstate 80 on Highway 25 in Adair County, is being painted once again this year, by Greenfield artist Ray “Bubba” Sorensen. It’s the 20th Anniversary of the Freedom Rock, which is repainted each year in honor of Memorial Day. Images on the 12-foot tall, nearly 60-ton boulder, pay tribute to our  men and women in the military.

Freedom Rock. Photo courtesy Maria & Ray Sorensen.

Sorensen started painting the original Freedom Rock® the first week of May and plans to be finished by Memorial Day 2018. In a press release, Sorensen says  “This year’s edition is simple yet powerful.” Almost the entire surface will be covered with random faces of those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country, from the Revolutionary War to Iraq/Afghanistan.

Complimenting the faces will be a quote over a flag that reads: “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.” – George S. Patton. The helicopter remains as the paint that it is comprised of has been mixed with the ashes of our Vietnam Veterans since 2006.

Sorensen is not commissioned for his work on the original Freedom Rock® in Menlo, Iowa but works as an independent mural artist on the Iowa Freedom Rock® Tour. Sorensen is only able to complete about ten rocks per year, due to scheduling and weather and is currently booked into the 2021 year. Bubba said “I always say I have three goals with ‘The Freedom Rock®Tour’ and that is to honor America’s Veterans, promote Iowa tourism and provide for my family.”

The Freedom Rock® Tour is helped by the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation of Iowa Falls, Iowa, who provide the truck and Aluma Trailers of Bancroft, Iowa, who provide the trailer. For a list of complete counties booked for the Tour and locations of already existing Freedom Rocks®, please visit www.thefreedomrock.com.

Although it is Sorensen’s 20th annual year of painting the original Freedom Rock®, this is Sorensen’s sixth year on the Freedom Rock® Tour across Iowa. This also marked the second year since Sorensen began the 50 State Freedom Rock® Tour with rocks already painted in Missouri and Wisconsin. Freedom Rocks® have been booked for the states of Minnesota and Washington.

Sorensen plans to be at The Freedom Rock® over Memorial Day weekend, including Memorial Day to meet with visitors. Calendars as well as other merchandise are also available to help offset costs for the project.