Louisa County will become the 49th Iowa county to participate in the Freedom Rock painting program, and were recently given aid from two sources. At a Columbus Junction City Council meeting, they were approached by representatives of the Columbus United Fund, and the city agreed to donate $1,000. Additionally, the Washington County Riverboat Foundation awarded a $2,000 mini-grant for the project. Ray “Bubba” Sorensen of Greenfield started the Freedom Rock painting program, with the hope to eventually have one in all 99 Iowa counties. Each rock is unique to the county it’s in, and the paintings honor armed forces veterans.

The Louisa County Freedom Rock will be located at the Veterans Memorial in Grandview, using a rock from Oakville. Since they don’t have to purchase a rock and have had people and equipment volunteered to help move it, the cost of the project will be considerably lower than the approximately $12,000 it normally takes. There is a waiting list for the actual painting, so the Louisa Freedom Rock likely won’t be completed for several years. In the meantime, the Columbus United Fund will continue to seek out other grants and fundraising opportunities.