HAWARDEN VETERANS MEMORIAL

Installed in 2003, this Memorial hosts five granite monuments. The center pillar includes the phrase “Because of them we are here.” More than 1,000 names of the local Veterans are engraved on four other pillars, including those killed in action. These are Veterans from The Civil War, Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, and wars of Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon and the Persian Gulf, plus those who served during peaceful times.

The Memorial site is host to one of 99 Freedom Rocks in Iowa painted by artist Ray “Bubba” Sorenson II. The artist’s symbolic painting of a draped American Flag is at the top of the rock. A mural shows soldiers in combat as they come to shore by air and sea. There is also a painted image of a Veteran prisoner of war and grappling the bars he is held captive behind. The American Legion symbol was painted in recognition of the organization responsible for the memorial.