An effort to honor military veterans is underway in Keokuk County. The project is a freedom rock, this is part of a statewide project to land a freedom rock in all 99 Iowa counties.

The freedom rock is an effort by Ray “Bubba” Sorenson, an Iowa artist, who painted the first freedom rock in Adair County. Sorenson says he was inspired to do the project by the film “Saving Private Ryan.”

The rock in Keokuk County will be located in the community of What Cheer. City Clerk Melanie Vermillion is spearheading the project. She says a rock has already been donated and has been set in concrete. Vermillion says it is currently scheduled to be painted between 2017 and 2019, however, since their rock is already set, she hopes to be able to get it painted sooner. Anyone interested in donating or assisting with the Keokuk County effort can reach Vermillion at What Cheer City Hall at (641) 634-2590.