Remember Our Local Veterans
Located on the western side of Dickinson County, Lake Park is situated alongside beautiful Silver Lake and is home to one of Bubba Sorensen's 120 Freedom Rock® creations. James Kessler oversaw Lake Park’s Freedom Rock® Committee and has served as the local Commander of American Legion Post #371 and State Commander for The American Legion of Iowa.
“After many trips to Southern Iowa and passing the original Freedom Rock®, I thought it would be nice for Lake Park to have a rock like this, especially with our proximity to the Iowa Great Lakes,” Kessler shared. “Seeing the original rock was always an automatic stop for me to view the magnificent drawings depicting various memories of conflicts, one's associated with our military men and women’s service to their country. Also, how each one tributes to the many sacrifices made in the line of service and individuals commitment to our country and to the flag of the United States of America.”
The Freedom Rock® in Dickinson County found a home alongside Lake Park’s Veteran’s Memorial, which is located on the east side of the Lake Park Community Center. There is no charge to view the memorial.
“The input we gave Bubba was to display five faces of people from the Lake Park Community, with two paying the ultimate sacrifice with their lives, and two who were P.O.W.’s (one experienced the famed Battan march and the recount of how he survived his experience mentally and physically is incredible),” Kessler shared. “The fifth face on the rock is a surgical Army nurse who later came to the Spirit Lake Hospital to be a surgical nurse for the surgeon she worked with in the service.”
Other features of the memorial include five additional rocks featuring the five branches of service, each showcasing a particular drawing representing their symbol of recognition.
- Marines illustrate the raising of Old Glory at Iwo Jima during WWII
- Air Force Rock features two planes, including a F106 Delta Dart Fighter/interceptor which was the first aircraft to break the sound barrier going over Mach and one Kessler crewed while he served in the Air Force. The second plane is a recognizable gunship featured in multiple war movies.
- Army, Navy and Coast Guard were depictions designed by Sorensen, with each branch showcasing its flag flying above the featured rock.
The memorial was completed in 2013, and the Freedom Rock® committee continues to take care of the space. Currently, they will be replacing all the pavers in the Memorial that have veteran’s names engraved in them, as well as raising funds to replace the main flagpole that was destroyed by wind last fall.
Kessler also felt hosting the Dickinson County Freedom Rock® would benefit the community economically and denote Lake Park as a tourist destination, as many consider it to be the western campus of the University of Okoboji.
“Lake Park has a lot to offer and having the Freedom Rock® would help bring those entities to their attention,” he added.
If you wish to have a guided tour, learn more about Dickinson County Freedom Rock®, or give to the fundraising efforts, contact James Kessler at 712-330-1738.
Beautiful rocks covered in beautiful landscapes have appeared in communities throughout Iowa over the last 20 years, honoring the service and sacrifice of countless veterans. The Freedom Rock® is a registered trademark owned by Ray “Bubba” and Maria Sorensen and the original rock sits 12 miles north of Greenfield, IA in Adair County and is repainted every May with different stories and themes for Memorial Day.
When Bubba isn’t immersed in art or helping Maria run their art studio, he also serves as a member of the Iowa House of Representatives from the 23rd District.
We had the opportunity to connect with Bubba to learn more about the heart behind the brush, the stories that shape each rock, and what made the Lake Park Freedom Rock® stand out to him.
How do you go about creating a Freedom Rock?
The Original Freedom Rock® is a beast of a boulder I wrestle with every May, dodging rain and wind—no cover, just me, my brushes, and nature’s chaos. It’s a gritty, unpredictable dance! For all the other Freedom Rocks®, though, I’m under a tent or a structure that lets me keep the rhythm and finish on time. The process? I sketch ideas for each side, prime the rugged surface like a blank canvas, outline a “paint-by-numbers,” then dive in—bold blocks of color morphing into intricate details. From a rough rock to a vibrant tribute, it’s alchemy with a brush!
How did you start doing it - what inspired you? What was the first one you did?
It all began with a colossal, 60-to-90-ton giant plucked from an Iowa quarry in the 60s—rolled by sheer grit to its throne beside Highway 25 in Adair County. Back then, it was a graffiti playground, a chaotic scribble of history. Then, in 1999, I saw *Saving Private Ryan*—those raw, heart-pounding scenes of young soldiers storming Normandy lit a fire in me. I had to honor our Veterans. So, I tracked down the quarry owners, got the green light, and unleashed my first mural: the iconic Iwo Jima flag-raising, with “Thank You Veterans for Our Freedom” blazing across it in bold letters. That was the birth of the Original Freedom Rock®—a shout of gratitude carved in paint!
What is your background? What art medium do you enjoy the most?
Art’s been my heartbeat since childhood—thanks to my K-12 teachers who saw the spark and fanned it into a flame. I went to Iowa State University, majoring in Art and Design, then lept into ad and web design. But the real adventure kicked off in college when I started painting the Original Freedom Rock® and snagged my first mural gig in Casey, Iowa. Every year, I’d sharpen my claws on that rock, while murals and personal pieces piled up. I started with pencils and charcoal—raw, gritty stuff—but once I gripped a paintbrush, it was love at first stroke. Now, with over 25 years of mural magic, paint lets me splash bold stories across the world. It’s freedom on a brush!
How many have you done? How do you create each one to be unique?
I’ve completed 120 Freedom Rocks®—100 dotting every Iowa county (with a bonus one in Polk), plus 20 more scattered across state lines. Each one’s a snowflake, totally unique. How? Every rock’s a wild card—different shapes, sizes, and scars. Then there’s the local Veteran tales, a goldmine of history begging to be told. It’s like each community hands me a new chapter, and I spin it into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. No repeats, just pure, custom grit and glory!
What is your process? How long does it take to complete? Are there certain features that are included in each one?
My process is a battle plan: scrub the rock clean, slap on primer like a fresh start, sketch the outlines, and then charge in with paint—big, bold swaths giving way to fine details. Sometimes, I’m plotting placement or dreaming up landscaping flair with the locals. It’s a week-to-two-week sprint—long, sweaty days of pure creation. Every rock flies the American flag, a blazing symbol of Veterans and unity. You’ll spot patriotic vibes—eagles, stars—and military medals shining like badges of honor. It’s a salute in every stroke!
What do you enjoy about creating a Freedom Rock®?
Turning a plain old rock into a roaring tribute? That’s the thrill! It’s like taming a wild beast with paint, wrestling its rough edges into something that sings “thank you” to our heroes. I love the challenge—the cracks, the curves, the chaos—and the chance to meet the heartbeat of each community: the folks who dream it up with me. Every brushstroke feels like a handshake with history, a way to lift up the men and women who’ve fought for us. It’s raw and it’s real. Another special tradition with the Freedom Rocks® is the fact that some of the paint on the Freedom Rocks® contain the ash cremains of Veterans who've passed…making them forever a part of the artwork.
Do you remember anything specific about Dickinson County (Lake Park) and Clay County (Everly) Freedom Rocks®? How did you decide the design for them?
Oh, Lake Park was a stunner—those intricate pavers already laid out like a red carpet for the rock, plus multiple boulders to play with! It was a painter’s playground, instantly unique. Clay County’s rock hit me hard—home to Medal of Honor hero Howard Roberts, the first MIA and confirmed KIA in WWII. I’ll never forget walking his sister around it, unveiling his story in paint—her pride was palpable. Designs? I sat down with each Freedom Rock® Committee, soaking up their tales and vibes. We brainstormed what’d make their rock roar—local legends, standout moments—and I brought it to life with a custom twist!
Other thoughts?
The Freedom Rock® Tour’s just the start—it’s sparked a wildfire! The National 50 State Freedom Rock® Tour is rolling, and I’ve just kicked off something epic in 2025: **Medal of Honor Murals** ([mohmural.com](https://mohmurals.com)) and **Painted Panels** ([bubbapaints.art/painted-panels](https://bubbapaints.art/painted-panels)). These are my secret weapons for places without walls—portable, powerful art that shouts Veteran pride. It’s not just about rocks anymore; it’s a nationwide mission to paint honor into every corner. The journey’s wild, and I’m all in—join me!
For more information on how Sorenson designs the Freedom Rock® or being involved with his other murals, contact him at: sorensenstudios@yahoo.com. Information on Sorensen Studio can be found at www.thefreedomrock.com.