An Iowa muralist landed on the island on July 20 and quickly went to work with his paintbrushes to transform a 6-foot boulder pulled from the rock pit near the airport into Alaska’s first “Freedom Rock” to honor veterans.

Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II started work by preparing the stone’s surface, a process that involves applying a base layer to most of the area.

“I won’t prime all of it, because I do try to keep some of the natural rock showing in some places,” he explained.

While he has never painted in such a moist climate, he feels confident in his chosen materials.

“What I use is BEECK mineral paint,” he said. “It’s made specifically for masonry and rock-like surfaces. It’s really durable and holds up for a long time.”

Given the specialized quality of the paint, he does not anticipate needing to spray any type of heavy protective coating on the mural.

Sorensen is scheduled to work about two weeks painting the veterans memorial; he expects some long days ahead.

“But that all depends on what challenges I find with painting certain details or any surface issues,” he said.

Though he is working on the boulder in a building at the Marine Service Center, the borough’s stated intent has been to display the memorial somewhere at City Park.

Approximately 30 people showed up at City Park on July 21 to meet Sorensen and to share stories during a community potluck sponsored by the borough.

Earlier that afternoon, he had already submitted draft concept sketches to borough officials based on initial project guidance.

The borough is paying the cost of the supplies, Sorensen’s fees and building a permanent shelter over the artwork.

When finished, the boulder will be placed on a metal bracket with legs that will be set into a concrete pad poured for the boulder, said J.R. Meek, the borough’s marketing and community development coordinator.

There are also plans to have an interpretive sign to tell veterans stories, Meek said.

The tradition of Freedom Rock memorials began in 1999 in Adair County, Iowa, when a 19-year-old Sorensen felt inspired by the movie “Saving Private Ryan.” He painted what he called “a massive thank-you message to veterans” on a large boulder.

Since that initial project, he has repainted the original Iowa boulder every year for Memorial Day to showcase a new theme. He has also expanded the effort by creating Freedom Rock murals in 10 other states.