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Sorensen agrees to paint a “Freedom Rock” in Cedar Falls

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September 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) – A Greenfield artist known for painting patriotic scenes on large boulders has agreed to create another freedom rock in Cedar Falls. Ray “Bubba” Sorensen the Second has completed 20 such rocks and hopes to paint freedom rocks in all of Iowa’s 99 counties, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reported. He said he has accepted a proposal from the Cedar Falls American Legion Post 237 to paint one in Black Hawk County.

Sid Morris and Tom Hagarty, both veterans and members of the organization, said they will try to raise about $5,000 to cover the artist’s expenses. They said a committee will be formed to propose themes or ideas for the rock’s design to Sorensen. Morris said the rocks offer an opportunity for veterans to be recognized in each Iowa county.

Sorensen has already painted 21 Freedom Rocks, beginning with the first location about a mile south of Interstate 80 off Highway 25 in Adair County. Other rocks are available for viewing locally, in: Earling; Corning; Sac City; Kimballton; Manning, Guthrie Center and Clarinda. Rocks have been commissioned to be painted in other areas counties, including Cass, Harrison, Pottawattamie, Mills, Montgomery, Fremont, Page and Taylor.