A few years back, I was invited to give a talk, set up by someone else, for a Corvette club at the Dallas County Freedom Rock®, about the Wilson brothers whose service is remembered there. This memorial had dedicated October 19, 2019. Leora’s Letters: The Story of Love and Loss for an Iowa Family During World War II was published a month later..The time had never been confirmed and I didn’t know who to contact. My Favorite Guy asked if I wanted to drive to Minburn anyway. Sure, and maybe we could motor on up the road from Minburn to Perry to see Joe Unger‘s iconic Sinclair gas station and get a picture with Guy’s Corvette in front it..There was no one around at the Freedom Rock®, except cyclists at the Nineteen14 restored depot, taking a break at the bar and grill from riding the Raccoon River Valley Bike Trail.The restored depot, now Nineteen 14 restaurant, is at the left. The yellow signs are along the bike trail. The men on the Freedom Rock are Donald, Delbert, Dale, Danny, and Junior Wilson–Grandma Leora’s five sons who served. Only two came home.It was about 10:00, so we waited a little while, but gave up and headed for Perry and the old Sinclair station. Folks like to park their classic cars in front for photos. The owner dresses up the big Dino for holidays.We began meeting a string of Corvettes, all waving at us, noticing Guy’s red C5. So we turned around and I got to tell the Wilson WWII story for them after all. The Freedom Rock at Minburn is only a couple of miles from where the Wilson family were tenant farmers before and during the war–until Clabe Wilson could no longer handle the farm with his sons all serving in the US Navy and US Army Air Force.Guy’s Corvette that he found in pristine condition in Minneapolis and owned for a few years. He was a little disappointed that I’d rather ride in the pickup!While I was finishing my talk, another group of collectible cars rolled in. They also wanted to hear the story of the Wilson brothers, so I was able tell it twice. How amazing and humbling this day was. And it wasn’t done..The Corvette group had invited us to have lunch with them at Brickyard Burgers & Brews in the county seat of Adel, so we did. What a blessed day!.We never did get a photo of the Corvette at the beautiful old gas station, but we took a selfie there when we stayed at the Hotel Pattee in Perry for our fifty-fifth wedding anniversary in 2021.Our one (and only) selfie with the Dino at the restored Sinclair station in Perry, Iowa. May 29, 2021.—–

The Dallas County Freedom Rock®, one of 99 Freedom Rocks®, one in each Iowa County (plus a bonus one as a fundraiser for veterans at Adventureland Park), was painted by artist Ray “Bubba” Sorensen of The Freedom Rock.com.

Guy watched the internet for about a year until he found a C5 Corvette with a a stick shift. When he finally found THE car, he and his buddy Steve took Steve’s Corvette to Minnesota to have a look. At first the owner was concerned that since Guy is from Iowa, that he’d be driving on gravel roads. Hey, not all of us live on farms! Even though he had been the only owner, it had never experienced rain! The adoption was made that day. Guy sent a photo to the former owner so he could see where it ended up.

During the six years that Guy owned the C5, Parkinson’s set in, and with it a weakness, so he decided it was time to give up the fun car. His buddy Steve’s brother had hinted for years that he’d like to buy it, and he did. It’s a Missouri Corvette now.

I think Guy was a little disappointed that I didn’t enjoy riding in it, but it was fun for me knowing how much he enjoyed it. He’d join other owners having lunch somewhere fun to drive to.

But I certainly enjoy riding in his blue F150! (A pickup)