Sunday, May 24, 2009

A Motorcycle Ride to "Remember"

Rain showers were hit and miss over the weekend but Sunday ended up being the perfect day for a motorcycle ride to "Remember". Dan and I took off and headed west on Interstate 80 to Exit 86 and then south toward Greenfield on Highway 25. You can't miss the site of the Freedom Rock. It is located right next to the Highway and the amazing painted rock catches your eye right away.



There were a few other motorcyclists and non riders viewing the Freedom Rock. This is the 11th year that Ray "Bubba" Sorensen II has painted a new tribute on the Freedom Rock. He began his tradition in 1999 after watching the movie "Saving Private Ryan". Ray wanted to find a way to thank the Veterans for our Freedom. This rock is at the entrance to an old rock quarry and the teenagers from the area used to use the rock as a place for their graffiti. Ray said he will continue his tradition for as long as he is physically able. The first pix below is Ray painting what looked like the final touches on the Freedom Rock. It's an amazing tribute and it warmed my heart that this 29 year old guy started this tradition and has stuck with it each year.







After reflecting for a while about why we were there, Dan and I got back on the bike and headed south to Greenfield and then west to Winterset where we ate lunch. After lunch we headed back to Interstate 80 so that we could go to the Iowa Veterans Cemetery. It's a beautiful place out in the country near Van Meter. The Tribute to the War on Terror really hit me hard because a couple of years ago I did an art piece in remembrance of the Iowa Soldiers that had lost their lives since the US invasion of Iraq after 9/11. I recognized the names engraved on the stone and it made it all the more real to me. God Bless Them All!








To find out more on the Freedom Rock you can visit http://www.thefreedomrock.com/ .

If you are interested in information on the Iowa Veterans Cemetery you can visit https://www.iowava.org/vetcemetery/index.html .

If you are a Veteran and you have read this post! Thank you!!!


12 comments:

Webster World said...

Thank you Vet's. I have seen this rock on the internet. It is a wonderful peace of art.

Ann said...

Steph, didn't you post about the Freedom Rock last year, too? I remember someone featuring it on their blog. It's awesome.

Glad you had a good day for a ride.

IHG said...

Web - it is a wonderful piece of Art!

Ann - Yep...that was me. I finally made it there yesterday to see it in person.

FLHX_Dave said...

That's just damn cool. Thanks for the picts and the adventure and the appreciation for those who served, or are still serving.

Baron's Life said...

Steph...what a beautiful tribute you folks in Iowa did...wonderful pictures.

mq01 said...

beautiful, it must have been fantastic to be there

Buford Pickleberry said...

That Dan is a bit scary of a lookin dude. His Grandpa didn't happen to ride with the Basillicians outta Dyersville back late 50's did he? Looks like a spitting image of a tall dude we called Belltower. Good story. Very familiar with the Freedom Rock. Wendell and I drive over that area quite often on his motor paper route.

Dean "D-Day" said...

An awesome tribute to our armed forces as only you can dish out. I'll have to put these spots on my radar for my next Iowa trip.

"Joker" said...

I remember your post about the Freedom Rock from last year, and I'm glad the local teens have had the respect not to desecrate it.

That veteran's cemetery though...wow. Those monuments are beautiful and you took some great pictures. It must have been numbing to have actually been there.

Once again, a great tribute to our men and women in uniform.

Mr. Motorcycle said...

That rock is spectacular! I've got to see it someday. What an amazing talent that guy has.

B.B. said...

Great pics Steph! I remember your post last year about the Freedom Rock, glad you got out there to see it in person.

fasthair said...

Ms, IHG: This is too funny. I did this very same ride except in reverse from the ay you did it. I found both places very moving and very hallowed. The Vets cemetery really moved me as I looked at some of the dates of the Vets who moved their grave to the site. Cool place for sure.

fasthair