The Fort Dodge community will honor America’s veterans Monday morning with an outdoor ceremony in the shadow of the Albert Habhab Veterans Memorial Bridge.

The bridge will be dedicated immediately after the traditional Veterans Day event, which for decades had been held at St. Edmond Catholic School.

This year, the ceremony will be held in the parking lot of Bemrich Electric and Telephone, 110 S. 21st St.

The Fort Dodge Senior High School Band will get things started at 10:40 a.m. with a short concert of patriotic music.

The main ceremony will begin at 10:59 a.m.

That timing is symbolic. The armistice that ended World War I went into effect at 11 a.m. Nov. 11, 1918 – the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Nov. 11 became a holiday first known as Armistice Day and now, Veterans Day. Veterans Day ceremonies often begin at 11 a.m.

The ceremony will include the posting of military service colors and the American flag, music, the recognition of veterans and remarks by Tom Dorsey, commander of American Legion Post 130 in Fort Dodge.

Immediately following the Veterans Day ceremony, there will be a dedication event for the Albert Habhab Veterans Memorial Bridge.

The bridge carries First Avenue South over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.

It is named after a World War II veteran who was the mayor when the bridge was built in 1969. Habhab became a district court judge, then a judge on the Iowa Court of Appeals. He finished his career as chief judge of the Court of Appeals.

Originally called Veterans Memorial Bridge, its name was updated in November 2023 by the City Council to recognize Habhab.

The bridge is now undergoing some cosmetic updates to honor Habhab and all veterans. Concrete monuments bearing the name Albert Habhab Veterans Memorial Bridge have been set up at each end of the span. Emblems of each branch of the armed forces and of folded American flags have been put on the lamp posts.

Additional lighting and a plaza on the southeast side of the bridge are planned.

If You Go

What: Fort Dodge Veterans Day ceremony followed by Albert Habhab Veterans Memorial Bridge dedication

When: 10:40 a.m. Monday

Where: Parking lot of Bemrich Electric, 110 S. 21st St.