Denise Cornelison of Waukee released Sunday morning sneak-preview pictures of the Dallas County Freedom Rock.
The artwork in progress is painted by Ray “Bubba” Sorensen of Greenfield, who also represents House District 20, which includes Perry, Dawson and Linden in Dallas County, in the Iowa House of Representatives.
Cornelison gained access to the half-light within the freedom tent that Sorensen pitched over the Dallas County Freedom Rock during its painting, and she posted pictures on Facebook.
The recto or dexter side of the rock appears to feature the U.S. flag and a screaming eagle, favored motifs in the Freedom Rocks, along with portraits of the five Wilson brothers who fought in World War II. The Wilson family farmed near Minburn.
Three of the Wilson brothers were killed in action in the U.S. Air Force.
The verso or sinister side of the Dallas County Freedom Rock seems to show Dallas County athletic standouts and World War II soldiers Nile Kinnick and Bob Feller.
Sorensen has made rapid progress on the rock, which appears to be more than half complete.
The Minburn American Legion Post 99 contracted with muralist of freedom Sorensen to paint the 18-ton boulder, which was donated by Dennis Allen of Herndon and placed in Minburn April 28, 2018.
The full Dallas County Freedom Rock project is estimated to cost $18,000, which includes Sorensen’s $5,000 fee plus lodging and materials, along with the planned landscaping and beautifying of the grounds around the Dallas County Freedom Rock.
Great idea. I graduated from CD in ’63. Were great years. My girls all still live on the area. Can’t wait to see the finished project. I now live in Cedar Falls but get back to Minburn a couple times a month for grandkid events. Thank you, American Legion.