Honored In Stone! Unique 'Freedom Rock' At The Lake Will Thank Veterans & Emergency Responders

LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — An artist is winding his way through the United States creating murals and memorials to honor veterans, and he will land in Laurie, Mo. next year. The City of Laurie is commissioning the artist to paint a “Freedom Rock.” The city will add a gazebo and landscaping to offer a memorial sitting area in front of city hall.

The Freedom Rock will be an approximate 6 ft. x 10 ft. by 3 ft. wide painted boulder excavated from a quarry south of St. Louis and will thank veterans, police officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel for their service. “We hope this will not only honor our patriots but will also plant a seed of patriotism in our youth,” Long time lake resident, Mark Shellenberg and member of the City of Laurie Enhancement Committee Member said.

Shellenberg was inspired for the project after reading an article about The Freedom Rock Tour and artist Ray ‘Bubba” Sorenson II. Shellenberg and members of the enhancement committee visited with Bubba while he vacationed at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Bubba, who is also an Iowa State Representative, painted the first Freedom Rock in 1999 in rural Iowa. It is repainted every year with a different “thank you” to U.S. veterans to honor their service.

Freedom Rock 1 Large.jpeg — Ray ‘Bubba” Sorenson II paints a flag and a soaring eagle on the original Freedom Rock in Adair County, Iowa. (photo by Sorensen Studios) The Freedom Rock® is a registered trademark and is used with permission. Artist: Ray Sorensen II www.thefreedomrock.com

Saving Private Ryan

Bubba was inspired to begin painting Freedom Rocks after watching the movie Saving Private Ryan. “Not being in service myself,” Bubba said. “That was the closest I had ever been to war. I have always had a spot in my heart for veterans.”

There was a huge rock in his hometown that was always vandalized with graffiti. “Memorial Day was coming up, and I thought, ‘I am going to do something special for veterans as a thank you.’”

Bubba's Mural Large.jpeg — Ray ‘Bubba” Sorenson II painted a mural honoring veterans on the historic Candy Kitchen in Wilton, IA. (photo by Sorensen Studios) The Freedom Rock® is a registered trademark and is used with permission. Artist: Ray Sorensen II www.thefreedomrock.com

Since painting that first Freedom Rock, Bubba has traveled the state of Iowa painting (smaller and unique to their area) Freedom Rocks in every one of Iowa's 99 counties, including a 100th rock in Altoona, Iowa. Bubba has since started a 50-state Freedom Rock Tour and is now booking across the country. There are currently three Freedom Rocks in Missouri. Laurie's will be the fourth.

Honoring Service Personnel

According to Shellenberg, the estimated cost to procure, paint, and set the Laurie Freedom Rock, and also to build the gazebo and landscaped area will be between $50,000 and $100,000 (depending on labor and supply donations). They have collected $15,000 to date.

The enhancement committee is accepting donations for The Laurie Freedom Rock project. They have sent Bubba a down payment to commission him to paint the Laurie Freedom Rock. Citizens and organizations can give to the project by visiting the GoFundMe page. Or a check or cash can be dropped off at the Laurie City Hall or any Central Bank of Lake of the Ozarks location. Checks can be made payable to The Patriot Rock Fund LOTO and mailed to:

Central Bank of Lake of the Ozarks

PO Box 839

Laurie, Mo. 65038.

The goal is to have the rock painted in the fall of 2024.

“Our hope is this will add to the very patriotic Lake community in the entirety,” Shellenberg said.

To learn more about Bubba visit https://www.thefreedomrock.com/.