Veterans Rock Committee Extends Deadline for Military Service Artists to Emblaze Wilson Park Monument

(KNSI) — The deadline has been extended to find artists who served in the armed forces to emblaze the Veterans Rock at Wilson Park with emblems representing the six branches of the military.

The Veterans Rock committee needs at least two more individuals from the Marines, Coast Guard or Space Force. Committee President Caroline Stringer met with KNSI News and encouraged vets to apply. “We did extend the deadline to April 1st. So, other branches are still welcome to apply.” Artists don’t need to be professionals.

Stringer wants to create something all veterans can be proud of. “That’s the purpose of our project. It’s to be really inclusive of all the branches, all the wars, [and] everyone who’s served in peacetime.”

The big boulder, which weighs 13.25 tons (27,000 pounds), was donated by Rock On Trucking. It’s about nine feet tall at its highest point and was placed in the park in October.

They hope to start painting the rock in June and dedicate it on November 11th for Veterans Day. Along with the artwork, the committee is fundraising to build a shelter over the stone and a walking path.

She says Wilson Park was picked because it’s one of the viewing spots for the Fourth of July Fireworks, and a couple of veterans monuments are already there.

Stringer says the inspiration for Veterans Rock came from the nearly 100 Freedom Rocks scattered throughout the upper Midwest.

To apply to paint the rock, click here.

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