City of Big Lake issued the following announcement on Sept. 14.
It’s a miracle that during the pandemic the little town of Big Lake, Minnesota will be receiving their Freedom Rock honoring their veterans!
On September 19, 2020 Lakeside Park in Big Lake, Minnesota we would all soon learn how the placing of a 40 ton Freedom rock at Lakeside Park in Big Lake would be just the uplifting and encouraging experience the small town of Big Lake needed. A town that has experienced more than its share of sad, unhappy times as broadcasted in the media, recently. Fundraising for the Freedom Rock project started in 2019. The City had said a resounding “yes.” Community organizations, businesses and citizens quickly raised $6,000 towards the $30,000 goal. Martin Marietta quarry, Waite Park donated the 10ft x 10ft x 10ft rock that created great momentum and optimism for the project. Then, the unthinkable happened, the pandemic hit. The people supporting the project wondered if the project could move forward. Funding was going to be an issue.
We knew transporting the rock from the quarry to Big Lake was going to be necessary to keep the project’s confidence alive. One citizen said, “have you talked to T.J. Potter Trucking?” They said they would be willing to transport the rock free of charge! Now, with Potter Trucking onboard and the momentum gaining, we talked to three crane services all very capable of this huge job. Landwehr Construction had just the crane needed for this job, and they would donate the 80 foot crane service and personnel required to make this move from the quarry to Big Lake possible! All this effort to honor our veterans. It was just the kind of “good- news- project” Big Lake needed.
The Big Lake Freedom rock® will be painted by internationally known artist Ray “Bubba” Sorenson. It is his mission to say “Thank You” to Veterans who have served our country. Ray painted the original Freedom Rock® in 1999 near Menlo, Iowa. The 50 State Tour has now been launched with the goal to put one in every state. He is scheduled to paint Big Lake’s Freedom Rock® in 2021. It will tell of Big Lake’s veteran’s stories and thank them for their service.
The setting of the rock on Saturday, September 19 at 10 a.m. will kickoff the fundraising to be completed in 2021. People everywhere are being encouraged to purchase a Tribute Paver and honor their loved veteran. Pavers are $100 each and will feature a name, branch and service time. The pavers will encircle the Freedom Rock® and remain as a permanent legacy in the community.
Original source can be found here.
Source: City of Big Lake
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