Friends of the Terrain Therapy Garden Project

Helping Veterans Return to Their Lives

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The VA Rock

Finding and Moving the Rock from Fort Dodge to the VA Hospital in Des Moines.

Once a suitable rock was found, the land owner, who’s son was serving in the Marines, gladly donated to rock for our cause.  The next task was to get help moving it from Fort Dodge to VA Hospital in Des Moines.  Thanks to some amazing companies and volunteers, the rock was moved successfully.

  • Positioning the Heavy Equipment
  • Asessing the Rock
  • Crane In position
  • Crane with Rock in Tow
  • 2017-07-27 Rock with Jeff, Joe and Ken
  • Placing Rock in Dump Truck
  • Rock loading in Dump Truck
  • Unloading the Rock
  • Rocking Arriving at VA Hospital
  • Curious Spectators
  • Unloading the Rock at the VA Hospital
  • Kayla Making Rock Jokes
  • Setting the Rock
  • Showing the Rock some Love
  • Helpers Come in All Sizes
  • Working Together
  • Thank you to our Helpers
  • The Rock with Barry Anderson
  • Positioning the Heavy Equipment
  • Asessing the Rock
  • Crane In position
  • Crane with Rock in Tow
  • 2017-07-27 Rock with Jeff, Joe and Ken
  • Placing Rock in Dump Truck
  • Rock loading in Dump Truck
  • Unloading the Rock
  • Rocking Arriving at VA Hospital
  • Curious Spectators
  • Unloading the Rock at the VA Hospital
  • Kayla Making Rock Jokes
  • Setting the Rock
  • Showing the Rock some Love
  • Helpers Come in All Sizes
  • Working Together
  • Thank you to our Helpers
  • The Rock with Barry Anderson

 

Constructing the Heated Tent and Bubba Painting the Rock

With winter approaching, the rock needed to be enclosed in a heated tent so the paint could cure properly.  Once the tent was in place Bubba Sorensen, arrived with  his rock painting equipment and began the first ever VA Rock.

  • Unpacking the Canopy
  • Building the Tent Frame
  • Setting up the Tent
  • Curious Spectators
  • Finishing the Tent
  • Adding the Sides
  • Enclosed Rock
  • Rock Visitor
  • Freedom Rock Painting Geer
  • Beginning of the flag
  • 20171201 Bubba Checking his work
  • Bubba Working on the Rock
  • Medic administering First Aid to a Wounded Soldier with Caduceus
  • Therapist assisting a Veteran
  • Bubba’s Signature
  • Unpacking the Canopy
  • Building the Tent Frame
  • Setting up the Tent
  • Curious Spectators
  • Finishing the Tent
  • Adding the Sides
  • Enclosed Rock
  • Rock Visitor
  • Freedom Rock Painting Geer
  • Beginning of the flag
  • 20171201 Bubba Checking his work
  • Bubba Working on the Rock
  • Medic administering First Aid to a Wounded Soldier with Caduceus
  • Therapist assisting a Veteran
  • Bubba’s Signature

 

Rock Dedication

The dedication ceremony was a solemn occasion with several speakers and guests in attendance.  A program was printed to commemorate the event and to recognize those who contributed to this timely monument for our veterans.  Download the program HERE.

  • Dedication Gathering
  • Honor Guard
  • Bob Ukena Speaking
  • VA Admin Speaking
  • Kayla Speaking
  • National Anthem
  • Soluting the Flag
  • Joe and Guest
  • Dedication Gathering
  • Honor Guard
  • Bob Ukena Speaking
  • VA Admin Speaking
  • Kayla Speaking
  • National Anthem
  • Soluting the Flag
  • Joe and Guest

 

 

Recent Posts

  • Major Construction Nears Completion on the Therapy Garden
  • MidAmerican Energy Supports the Therapy Garden
  • Wells Fargo Foundation Donates $20,000
  • Sammons Financial Group Selects VA Therapy Garden for Community Outreach Program
  • VA Therapy Garden Receives Prairie Meadows Grant for $40,000

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