Officials are searching for a large boulder and will need to fundraise to create a patriotic monument for Wrangell, a move that would bring the nation’s “Freedom Rock” tour to Alaska as a way of commemorating the 250th birthday of the United States.
The monument would be a custom-painted memorial designed to honor veterans and stories unique to the area. While these memorials exist in 11 states — mostly across the Midwest, Oklahoma and Texas — Wrangell is looking to claim the first one in Alaska.
“We’re currently looking for the right rock to use,” said JR Meek, the borough’s marketing and community development coordinator. “It can’t be larger than 10-by-10 feet but ideally should be around 8-by-8 feet.”
Meek is spearheading the search alongside Economic Development Director Kate Thomas and Jenn Miller-Yancey, the president of the Wrangell Mariners’ Memorial board.
The idea for getting a Freedom Rock was introduced by Miller-Yancey after traveling by RV in 2025, when she and her husband, Eric Yancey, stopped in Winterset, Iowa, to visit the John Wayne Birthplace Museum.
“We saw this big rock with a beautiful patriotic scene on it. We got information and we learned about the reason for it and how it’s tailored to each community,” she said. “I suggested it after we got back, but there was so much going on at the time, it wasn’t practical to pursue at the time.”
While an exact spot for the monument has not been decided, organizers are eyeing Heritage Harbor as their top choice, with City Park serving as a backup option.
“We want Heritage Harbor, but where we are wanting is near Zimovia right of way and is also close proximity to burial grounds. So, we want to speak with the WCA and get their opinion about the location,” Meek said. “We won’t take any steps for that location until we hear from the WCA.”
The Freedom Rock memorials started in 1999 in Adair County, Iowa, by artist Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II. As a 19-year-old college student inspired by the movie “Saving Private Ryan,” Sorensen painted what he called “a massive thank-you message to veterans” on a large boulder. The tribute was so well received by local veterans that they encouraged him to paint it again the following year.
Since then, Sorensen has repainted the original Iowa rock every year for Memorial Day, creating a new tribute each time, and he has also painted Freedom Rock murals in 10 other states.
Sorensen charges a fee of $13,500 in total, which includes a $2,000 deposit and $1,500 for art supplies with $10,000 upon completion of the mural. The borough’s promotional Travel Wrangell budget could be used to cover airfare, accommodations and shipping for his supplies.
Depending on the weather, each unique monument takes the artist about two to four weeks to paint. There is now a Freedom Rock in every county in Iowa.
Meek said the tentative plan is to have Sorensen in Wrangell from July 7 to Aug. 8 to paint the memorial.
“We still haven’t figured out what story or theme we want to use for the rock,” he said. “The idea is for us to get (Sorensen) here and give him time to become familiar with the community and the theme for the memorial so he can complete the painting.”
“Wrangell loves a good project, especially when it’s for a good cause,” Miller-Yancey said. “I’m just really excited to be a part of this project and I’m so glad the city wants to do this and to honor the veterans.”
Volunteer opportunities may include project coordination, sponsorship and donations, site preparation and logistics, historical and veteran story gathering and community outreach.
Anyone wanting to assist with finding a rock, volunteering time to help, donating materials or helping to sponsor the memorial is encouraged to fill out a form at: https://forms.office.com/r/E8zJVfnUHc
This story was first published by the Wrangell Sentinel.