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The 24th annual original Freedom Rock painting was to be completed by Memorial Day weekend.
In honor of Memorial Day, Ray “Bubba” Sorensen repaints this 12-foot tall, approximately 60 to 90-ton boulder each year to pay tribute to our military men and women.
Sorensen started painting the original Freedom Rock® the second week of
May and plans to be finished by Memorial Day 2022.
This year’s front, road-facing side is an illustration that depicts a flag-draped coffin, lifted by a member of each brand of the military, and a soldier handing America a folded flag, which symbolizes that we are receiving the responsibility of upholding American for all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country, the Sorensens said in a press release. Accompanying it is a partial quote from former President Ronald Reagan, which says “...stand in silence and remember those who were loved and who, in return, loved their countrymen enough to die from them.”
On the south side of the Freedom Rock is a depiction of the USS Ranger aircraft carrier with a Tomcat taking off. The Ranger was known as the “Top Gun of the Pacific,” since some of the first Top Gun movie was filmed aboard that carrier.
On the east side is a memorial to the 35th anniversary of the attack on the USS Stark.
On the northeast is Medal of Honor recipient John Baker and an illustration of a Tunnel Rat and their patch, beause Baker was a Tunnel Rat. Above that is the Huey helicopter which contains the ashes of over 125 Vietnam veterans in the paint. Next to that is David Elsbernd, who was killed in Vietnam and is a recipient of a Purple Heart. He was vetoed off the North Dakota Freedom Rock, but Sorensen felt he should be recognized.
“Of course, the American flag meets the POW/MIA flag on top,” Sorensen said.
Sorensen is not commissioned for his work on the original Freedom Rock but works as an independent mural artist having completed the Iowa Freedom Rock Tour last September. Sorensen is working on the 50 State Freedom Rock Tour.
“I always say I have three goals with ‘The Freedom Rock Tour’ and that is to honor America’s veterans, promote tourism and provide for my family,” Sorensen said.
Sorensen’s oldest two children, Independence and Michael, enjoy helping him in the early stages of many Freedom Rocks® including the original, filling in sketched areas at his discretion.
100th Iowa Freedom Rock® looks to be completed this year in front of Adventureland. The auction for the 100th rock raised money for the T.A.P.S. Foundation and the Puppy Jake Foundation.
For a list of the tour and, please visit www.thefreedomrock.com.