Posted on 06/11/2007 5:04:27 PM PDT by radar101
DEL MAR ---- It's not hard to find heroes at this year's San Diego County Fair.
Artist Ray Sorensen works on his painting on a large rock at the San Diego County Fair.
"It's kind of wild to walk around," said National Guard Staff Sgt. Sergio Hernandez, his head-to-toe camouflage the object of visitors' stares. "Everybody's looking at you and making a point to say hi. It is really nice."
At Hero Rock, in the center of the racetrack's infield, is a 44,000-pound boulder. That's also where visitors will find Ray "Bubba" Sorensen, painting a rock mural, much as he has done for the past nine years in his home state of Iowa.
The 27-year-old artist already has completed painting several soldiers and a folded American flag on the big rock.
"I wanted to show the ultimate sacrifice," Sorensen said. "That needed to be front and center."
Sorensen's father, Mike, accompanied the artist to Del Mar to help greet the public, and discovered a deeper appreciation for his son's work.
"The first time he asked to borrow money for paint, I thought he was nuts," Mike admitted. "Nine years later, here we are in Southern California."
As part of the fair's Salute to Heroes theme, Sorensen's mural sits as part of a tribute that includes a morning flag raising, the "Celebration of Heroes" exhibit at the Activity Center and a daily salute to a different civic servant.
Sorensen's mural serves as the West Coast version of work he has done in Iowa.
"It was 1999, and I was inspired by the movie 'Saving Private Ryan,' " he said. "I was 19 and older than a lot of those kids. It said something to me."
He has repainted the 56-ton boulder each Memorial Day since.
"The subject changes every year, but it always has the same theme ---- thanking veterans," Sorensen said.
By June 15 ---- long before the fair ends on July 4 with a gigantic fireworks display ---- Sorensen's canvas will be complete. Where there is white base paint on the rock now, there soon will appear a female soldier, nurses, lifeguards and teachers.
National Guardsman Hernandez said he didn't expect to be so moved by a day at the fair, and especially by a painting on a rock.
"For me, it touches my heart," he said. "It makes me want to say thanks to him."
Hernandez's partner, Staff Sgt. Corie Bush, described the rock painting as "heartwarming."
"It brings it home that there are people out there who appreciate everything that we're doing and other heroes like firefighters," Bush said. "It shows people still care."
The artist gives speeches across Iowa to veterans groups, and he said that experience further motivates him.
"I've met families traveling halfway across the nation to see my painting who have lost their sons or daughters in the war," Sorensen said. "It's just amazing. I'm only painting, and to hear these stories of people who have lost loved ones and what the rock mural means to them, it's inspiring."
Joel Amos (619) 275-2928 cell (619) 865-6207
LINK: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=27770
A beautiful tribute to our military men and women.
Thank you Ray Sorensen.
Navy/Marine Corps Family
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