Photo by Betty Dahms Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II, artist of the Freedom Rock, stands beside the Tama County Freedom Rock, which is located at the All Veterans Memorial in Gladbrook. Ray is underway painting the rock, as one of the 99 he will be painting in each county in Iowa, known as The Freedom Rock tour. Tama County is the 41st county freedom rock to be done. Because of the mild weather, the Tama County Rock, was able to be covered and heated so Mr. Sorensen could work on his creation. Tama County Freedom Rock will display, the American Bald Eagle, American Flag, soldiers through different wars, and the Meskwaki Code Talkers. It takes six to eight days to complete each rock, depending on the size. The dedication of the rock will be held on Memorial Day 2016 at the All Veterans Memorial.

By: Betty Dahms

Editor

Under the talented hands of artist Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II, the Tama County Freedom Rock. located at the All-Veterans Memorial in Gladbrook, is becoming a reality. Mild temperatures and help from Gladbrook’s Sons of the American Legion covering and heating the 9 foot 3 inch tall rock the artist was able to begin work. The work will take six to eight days to complete.

Ray Sorensen II is the artist of the original Freedom Rock, the 12-foot-high, 56-ton rock which stands alongside Highway 25 in Iowa, about a mile south of the town of Greenfield exit from Interstate 80. For years this it featured nothing but graffiti. Until in 1999, when a young man, inspired by the movie Saving Private Ryan, wanted to make better use of the natural canvas. Around Memorial Day, he asked if he could paint it, and he decided on the flag-raising at Iwo Jima. Since then every Memorial Day, Ray covers the rock with white paint and creates new scenes on the blank canvas.

Sorensen became interested in art at an early age when his grandparents took him on their road trips and gave him a pad and pencil to entertain himself on the trips. Ray had a natural talent for drawing what he saw along the way, cars, trucks, natural scenery. Encouraged by great art teachers in his elementary and high school days, he went on to Iowa State University in art design.

The 9-foot 3-inch Tama County Freedom rock was acquired from Grant Strohbehn’s field and placed at the All-Veterans Memorial in March of 2014.

While painting murals across the country Sorensen had the idea of spreading the message of the Freedom Rock to the communities in Iowa. So in 2013 Freedom Rock Tour was born.

Sorensen wanted to create a unique statewide veterans memorial.

Ideas for the content of each rock mainly comes from Sorensen, but much information comes from the residents of the county. Sorensen welcomes this as he “doesn’t know the history of every county, so it is nice to have people send suggestions to him. Some counties will send hardly anything and some counties send in lots.”

Sorensen said, “I want people not to be disappointed, some think that every rock will have every branch of the armed service represented, men and women service people alike. But that is not always the case, I want people to understand their county Freedom Rock is one piece of a 99-piece puzzle.”

“I want the people of Iowa to get out and rediscover their state.” Bubba’s three goals or the Freedom Rock Tour are 1) Honor America’s Veterans. 2) Promote Iowa Tourism. 3) Provide for my family.

The usual work season for Ray is March through October. He did two in November this year. The Tama County Freedom Rock is the 41st county to have their rock painted.

Future plans for Ray includes a book of the 99-county Freedom Rock Tour.

Ray and his wife, Marie, have a daughter and a son and reside in Greenfield, Iowa.

The Tama County Freedom Rock official dedication will be on Memorial Day 2016, but people are encouraged to come view the rock when it is unveiled.