In honor of Memorial Day, Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II is repainting the Freedom Rock in Menlo.
The 12-foot tall, approximately 60-ton boulder pays tribute to military men and women. Sorensen started painting the Freedom Rock during first week of May and plans to be finished by Memorial Day.
This year’s design honors Desmond Doss and all medics. Desmond was a Medal of Honor recipient who saved many lives during the Battle of Okinawa. Doss was wounded four times on Okinawa before finally being evacuated. The south side features dogs from WWI through the recent gulf conf licts. The back east side is the American flag flowing down into a piece honoring Bob Ross who is portrayed painting a portrait of himself as a Master Sergeant in the Air Force and on the north side is a Huey helicopter painted with paint containing the ashes of fallen Vietnam Veterans.
This is Sorenson’s 19th year repainting the Freedom Rock. Sorensen plans to be at The Freedom Rock over Memorial Day weekend, including Monday to meet with visitors. Calendars as well as other merchandise are also available to help offset costs of his projects.