The Freedom Rock® is dedicated with a ceremony that is attended by hundreds despite a downpouring of rain. Spam burgers are served in memory of our troops and the crowd enjoys the music of country band, Branded, well into the afternoon.
The front side of this 9 foot, 34,000 pound boulder depicts the nearby Wasioja Recruiting Station that helped recruit 200 men into the Union at the outset of the Civil War. The building, which you can still visit, was built in 1855 by Colonel James George who later led the recruits into the Battle of Chickamauga. Also on this side is a nod to the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. The 1st Minnestoa is legendary for a pivotal moment at Gettysburg. Major General Winfield Scott Hancockordered the 1st Minnesota to charge into a situation outnumbered by at least 5 to 1. The general's purpose was to buy minutes of delay with human lives. The regiment fully and instantly obeyed the order and suffered at least 82% casualties. This action contributed significantly to the preservation of a key Union defensive position on the heights of Cemetery Ridge. Later, President Calvin Coolidge claimed, "Colonel Colvill and those eight companies of the First Minnesota are entitled to rank as the saviors of their country."
The west side of the rock is in honor of SPAM's contribution to keeping our allied troops fed during WWII. There were 100 million pounds of SPAM luncheon meat shipped to those troops during this time. The one-billionth can of SPAM classic was produced by 1959 and seven-billionth can of SPAM products sold by 2007. More cool facts can be found at the SPAM museum in nearby Austin, MN.
The south side of the rock tells the story of Korean War hero, Air Force chaplain, Col. Russell Blaisdell of Hayfield, MN. The story, found in Stars and Stripes, tells of how Blaisdell and other airmen devised a plan to evacuate homeless children from the city streets of war ravaged Seoul. 16 C-54 transport planes were used in an airlift. Close to a thousand orphans were rescued from a near-certain death in this endeavor which is referred to as Operation Kiddy Car.
The east side of the rock is dedicated to a WWII US Army cook, LeRoy Neiman. During the war, his art skills were recognized and were put to use painting sets for Red Cross shows. Neiman became a world famous artist recognized for his brilliantly colored, expressionist paintings. He also created the Femlin character that was well known by many.
Those wanting to see the 1st MN Freedom Rock® in person will find it situated right next to the Kasson American Legion Post #333, located in southeastern MN. We are honored to have been given the opportunity to have the talents and energy of Ray (Bubba) Sorensen II come to us via this venture. His vision is so powerful and inspiring, as well as full of patriotic pride. We are thrilled to have this memorial completed in time for the American Legion Centennial Anniversary.
