It
is an inspiration to anyone who feels the surge of pride when the
American Flag is raised, or the National Anthem plays for one of our
Olympians on the medal stand.
Every year, for the last five years, a talented local artist, Ray
(Bubba) Sorensen, II, has done a Memorial Day tribute to our
servicemen and servicewomen, both past and present, with a stirring
tableau painted on a large granite boulder which stands next to
Highway 25.
"I
love my country and I do it out of respect for the veterans. It's my
way of thanking those who have protected the freedoms I enjoy today.
God bless the USA," says Sorensen.
For
years this boulder was known as "the graffiti rock" and was decorated
for high school rivalries, love interests, etc. Since the Memorial Day
paintings began, the "rock" has remained with the
annual tribute intact, until the artist himself paints over it, in
preparation for the next year's tribute. Sorenson, who is 24 years old
and from Greenfield, Iowa, draws a sketch of his idea on paper and
then draws the design by free hand onto the rock. This takes him
anywhere from one to three
weeks to paint. He says he is interested in military history and gets
his ideas from books, movies, previous artwork and images by other
artists.
Visitors from every state and many foreign nations have come to view
the rock. It was featured last 4th of July on the nationally televised
Boston Pops Concert, as well as on many Network news presentations. At
the heart of the current conflict with Iraq, a retired U.S. General
sent pictures and the story of the "rock" to all U.S. personnel
serving in foreign sites around the world who had e-mail.
If
you are anywhere close, you shouldn't miss the opportunity to see what
is truly an American treasure.
SOURCE:
http://www.ticz.com/homes/users/bob/On-A-Rock/On-A-Rock.htm
Source
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