Freedom Rock’s mural to be completed this month
Tess Nelson
The Red Oak Express
Depicting the county’s deep and proud military history, Montgomery County’s Freedom Rock will be completed by the end of the month by Freedom Rock’s Founder, Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II of Greenfield. The rock is located in the northeast corner of Fountain Square Park in Red Oak in close proximity to additional military monuments. Its completion will signify nearly all 99 counties in Iowa having a designated “Freedom Rock.”
“I look at each one as a piece of a 99-piece puzzle,” said Sorensen, who plans to complete all 99 counties in 2021.
While it is unknown what specifically will be painted on the rock, even to Sorensen himself, members of the Freedom Rock committee, comprised of Court of Honor, VFW Post 2265 and American Legion Post 67, did send Sorensen a list of ideas unique to Red Oak and the county.
“We will have to wait and see what he has selected to do,” said committee member Jerry Hanson. “I’ve been on this project since it’s near start, and it’s going to be a surprise to me, too.”
Ideas provided to Sorensen included the Red Oak Victory ship, Battleship Iowa, Red Oak Depot, Montgomery County Court House, Court of Honor flags, National Guard flagpole with Chautauqua Pavilion behind it; Vietnam Wall, old Villisca Armory for Company F, and the Red Bull 168th Infantry insignia.
“With our rich military heritage; the sacrifices that have been made by people in Montgomery County; and the beauty of Fountain Square Park … it’s the perfect place to show our appreciation to those who served and to show our community’s patriotism.
Hanson said Montgomery County is best known militarily for its high casualty loss during World War II. He explained the reason was having Company F from the armory in Villisca and Company M from the armory in Red Oak both at the wrong place at the wrong time.
“Both armories were mobilized for World War II and sent to North Africa when German General Erwin Rommel decimated the 168 infantry battalion,” Hanson recalled.
However, he was quick to add that whenever our country calls, the people of Southwest Iowa are quick to respond.
“I always look at the Civil War and I find it amazing that General Dodge from Council Bluffs was able to put together the folks he did. In western Iowa in the 1860s, there were not a lot of people, but he was able to fill out a full regiment out of western Iowa,” Hanson said. “In 1898, our guard unit was called up for the Spanish American War; they went sent to the Philippines. In 1916, they were called up and sent to the Mexican border to fight Pancho Villa. They came home, and a year later they took them for World War II. In the span of 20 years, the local guard unit was called up three times.”
Sorensen is scheduled to paint the rock Oct. 19-29, but before his arrival the rock will be sandblasted, said Red Oak Parks and Tree Board member Bill Drey.
Drey said numerous community members have generously donated materials in order to get the project completed. Gary Jipsen donated the rock; the Concrete Companywith Echternach Construction donating the labor force donated the concrete for the sidewalk. Landscaping rock was donated by the Red Oak Hy-Vee store and the service flags from members of the Court of Honor.
Monetary donations are still being sought, said Hanson, and can be made through the purchase of brick pavers that will adorn the monument. A 4x8 brick is $100 and an 8x8 brick is $250. Contact a member of the Court of Honor to purchase a brick.
To learn more about Sorensen and Freedom Rocks across Iowa, go to thefreedomrock.com.