Freedom Rock

The Freedom Rock (also known as the Patriotic Rock) is a 12-foot-tall (3.7 m) boulder located along Iowa Highway 25 in western Iowa approximately one mile (1.6 km) south of exit 86 on Interstate 80. The boulder weighs approximately 56 short tons (51 t; 50 long tons).[1]

The rock is located on private property and was used for graffiti. Since 1999, however, it is repainted every year in time for Memorial Day with the purpose of thanking U.S. veterans and their families for their military service and sacrifice. The rock is painted by Ray "Bubba" Sorensen II. Sorensen is not commissioned or paid to paint The Freedom Rock, he uses his own money along with donations and sales of Freedom Rock merchandise to fund the project.[2]

In Spring 2013 Sorensen will begin The Freedom Rock Tour by painting a Freedom Rock (patriotic themed rock) in every county in Iowa at a cost of [3] $5,000 USD plus lodging & supplies per rock, creating a unique statewide veterans memorial for the state. The rocks placed in each county will not be repainted every year.[4][5]

References

  1. ↑ Anderson, Sylvia (5 July 2009). "The rock that moves people". St. Joseph News-Press. Saint Joseph, Missouri: News-Press & Gazette Company. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
  2. ↑ Banusiewicz, John D. (17 November 2003). "Artist Turns Iowa Graffiti Rock into Military Tribute". United States Department of Defense News. Washington, D.C.: American Forces Press Service. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
  3. ↑ http://www.radioiowa.com/2014/07/04/sixteen-iowa-counties-now-have-their-own-freedom-rock/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ↑ http://www.thefreedomrock.com/faqs/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. ↑ Munson, Kyle (29 November 2012). "A different sort of rock tour: Painted boulders in all 99 counties in Iowa". Gannet Company News. Des Moines, IA: Des Moines Register. Retrieved 29 November 2012.

External links

Coordinates: 41°28′30″N 94°27′08″W / 41.4749°N 94.4522°W / 41.4749; -94.4522


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