The Dallas County Freedom Rock® at Minburn was dedicated on this date in 2019. The Wilson brothers of Minburn are remembered on one side (all five served, only two came home) and sports greats Nile Kinnick of Adel and Bob Feller (Van Meter) on the other.
The area also includes a storyboard a wall of commemorative bricks that remember more who served. Minburn American Legion Post 99 sponsored. The Freedom Rock® artist Ray Bubba Sorensen designed and painted all of Iowa’s Freedom Rocks®.
The Wilson bothers were the sons of Clabe and Leora Wilson, my grandparents, and brothers of Doris (Mom) and Darlene (twin to the middle brother, who has never been found).
I was asked to speak at the dedication. Because of severe fibromyalgia, I hadn’t been able to speak or give a program for 18 years, so I was very grateful to be able to tell the Wilson story. They were tenant farmers only a couple of miles from that Freedom Rock®.
About five weeks later, Leoras Letters: The Story of Love and Loss for an Iowa Family During World War II was published. The enormous price paid by this family is not forgotten.
The story of Iowa’s Freedom Rocks is Chapter 35 in What Leora Never Knew: A Granddaughter’s Quest for Answers, and in the chapter on Memorial Day in The Immigrant and the Outlaw: A Collection of Stories from America’s Heartland.
God granted me just enough energy to give talks and join book clubs to talk about the Wilson family for about five years before fibromyalgia and Crohn’s ganged up on my waning energy. Favorite Guy’s Parkinson’s symptoms began to overwhelm him as well, but we are so grateful for the events I was able to join. . . as far as Guthrie Center and Panora, even Polk City, and for the terrific folks we were able to visit with at these events.
You remain such a treasure.
You are dear, Dave. Our lives are smaller, but we’re so blessed.
I’m sorry you can’t accept invitations to give talks or join book clubs anymore. But as long as you can type, you can communicate with lots of people. Hopefully, your arthritis won’t hinder you too much. The Dallas County Freedom Rock is a spectacular work of art. I didn’t know it had a flip side! 🙂
Nancy, I’m so thankful for social media! All of Iowa’s Freedom Rocks are painted all the way around! Artist Sorensen is so adept at working with so many different sizes and shapes of rocks!
Thank you for sharing, Joy. I love remembering with you…the Freedom Rock speaks to the unimaginable sacrifices suffered by Leora and Clabe. Leora’s Letters is one amazing book. ❤️❤️❤️
Bless you, Vicki!
Love you, Joy! 😘
The Dallas County Freedom Rock is one of my favorite stories from your book, Joy.
Thank you, Pete. I forgot that it’s in there!
Happy to hear you were able to speak, Joy 🙂 xo
Thank you, Denise. It was a delightful five years.
I remember reading your post on the Freedom Rock’s dedication! You’ve guaranteed that the Wilson brothers will never be forgotten, something to be very, very proud of.
Thank you, Liz. When I was finalizing the book, I didn’t know about the Freedom Rock, and they didn’t know a niece was at work on a book! Just amazing, huh!
You’re welcome, Joy. Yes, it is amazing!
What a beautiful memorial. It is so nice that this was done.
Thank you, Diana. I was afraid that even locals had forgotten the family, but two couples remembered and made sure the Wilsons were considered for it. I’m so grateful.
The Dallas County Freedom Rock is magnificent, Joy, and it’s wonderful it honors your uncles who served in World War II. So nice that you spoke about your uncles at its dedication. I hope you handle your illness as well as possible. ❤️🙏
Thanks, Tim. Favorite Guy just got back from the doctor and our conversation was just about that.