Epworth in Dubuque County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Epworth Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial
Dubuque County
— —- Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II - — —
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 22, 2019
1. Epworth Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial
Dubuque County Freedom Rock
In Honor of the men and women who served our country in the Armed forces.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • War, Vietnam • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Freedom Rock Memorials series list.
Location. 42° 26.437′ N, 90° 55.786′ W. Marker is in Epworth, Iowa, in Dubuque County. Memorial is on Frontage Rd, 0.1 miles east of Center Ave S. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 191 Frontage Rd, Epworth IA 52045, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Dyersville Veterans Memorial (approx. 9.7 miles away); New Vienna Veterans Memorial (approx. 12 miles away).
More about this memorial.
The road facing side of this rock features the Governor's Greys and pieces of their "G G" badge and the 133rd, who were formed from the Greys, and their insignia. In 1859 a group of Dubuque citizens formed the new military company, the Governor's Greys. The Greys were the first military company in the US pledged to the service of the nation at the start of the Civil War and fought in many
this page online
The city hall facing side features multiple Veteran stories from around Dubuque County. The Roman Catholic Chaplain, Lt. Aloysius Schmitt, (to the far left of the eagle's wing) was aboard the USS Oklahoma when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. The Oklahoma was hit and began to list and roll over. Many men were trapped but Schmitt and a few others found there way to a small escape hatch. Schmitt helped those with him to escape and when it was his turn he struggled to get through. Some say he refused to take off his belt which contained his bible and crucifix. He realized the water was raising rapidly and heard others coming to escape. He then asked to be pushed back through so he could help others escape. Witnesses say he said "Please let go of me, and may God Bless you all." Schmitt continued to help others through the hatch until it sank, killing him and 447 other crew members. He was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for "Distinguished heroism and sublime devotion to his fellow man."
The next story is meant to represent all those injured in the service but is inspired by US Army Combat Engineer Rich Billmeyer who was wounded by an IED performing route-clearance operations
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 22, 2019
2. Epworth Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial
The next one over is Army nurse Maj. Genevieve Smith. As a WWII nurse Smith was set to retire after 22 years of service. Instead she accepted a position to serve in Korea in 1950. In July of that year her flight from Japan to Korea ended in tragedy as the plane crashed with Smith, 22 other passengers and a three man aircrew. Only one man survived by being sucked out of the plane and pulling his ripcord before he lost consciousness.
The last story is illustrating Vietnam Veteran Bob Kluesner. A machine gunner in Vietnam, Bob was in many firefights and was repeatedly wounded and sent back to fight. The firefight that ended his service was in July of 1969. He reached to unjam his machine gun and his hand was shot, blowing the back of his hand off and that's the last he remembers. According to accounts the Vietnamese then shot him in the back of the head, rolled him over and shot him in the chest to confirm the kill. Bob had other plans though. After being placed on a pile designated for bodies and body parts he moaned loud enough to be discovered and rushed to a hospital. There he went through many surgeries removing some of the bullets. After making it home he married
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 22, 2019
3. Epworth Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial
The flag is of course, draped over the top of the rock and at the bottom of the stripes is a piece honoring the POW/MIAs.
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 22, 2019
4. Epworth Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial
Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2019, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 328 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 4, 2019, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
