That span is the Albert Habhab Veterans Memorial Bridge on First Avenue South, named after a man who was a World War II veteran, Fort Dodge mayor, district court judge, judge of the Iowa Court of Appeals and finally, chief judge of the Court of Appeals.

The City Council renamed the bridge for Habhab in November 2023. The bridge was dedicated on Monday, Veterans Day, during an event held just below and to the south of it in the parking lot of Bemrich Electric & Telephone, 110 S. 21st St.

An effort to turn the bridge into a true monument to veterans, entirely with donations, is underway. A sign bearing its name is in place. Emblems of the branches of the United States military and folded American flags have been added to the lamp posts.

Mayor Matt Bemrich described the bridge as a “beacon of unity and unwavering gratitude.”

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
Tom Dorsey, center, prepares to cut a ribbon to mark the dedication of the Albert Habhab Veterans Memorial Bridge Monday. He is joined by Mike Larson and surrounded by veterans, current service members and the Ambassadors of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.

According to Bemrich, Habhab, who died in January, lived a life that “exemplified dedication to country and community.”

Navy veteran Mike Larson, who is helping to lead the bridge project, said it is a $1.5 million effort funded entirely by donations. He said it has been enthusiastically supported by people in Fort Dodge.

“The community’s been incredible,” he said. “This is just a wonderful community.”

Larson said the bridge “is there to help us remember everybody and what they did.”

He said the bridge also has a unique distinction because it is the first place outside of the military that has been granted the right to display the insignia of the Space Force, the nation’s newest branch of the armed forces.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
Nicole Mosier, foreground, and Manuela Rodrigues, rear, play taps at the conclusion of the Veterans Day ceremony Monday in Fort Dodge. They are both members of the Fort Dodge Senior High School Wind Ensemble.

The Ambassadors of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance conducted a ribbon cutting for the bridge.

The bridge was a new focal point for Veterans Day, but Monday’s commemoration also included all of the traditional features from decades worth of Veterans Day ceremonies in the St. Edmond Catholic School auditorium.

Patriotic music was played by the Fort Dodge Senior High School Wind Ensemble.

Laila Hickey, a freshman at St. Edmond Catholic School, explained how Armistice Day, established to commemorate the end of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918, evolved into Veterans Day.

Tom Dorsey, the commander of American Legion Post 130 in Fort Dodge, was the keynote speaker.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1856 Honor Guard prepare to fire a rifle salute during the Veterans Day observance in Fort Dodge Monday.

“One responsibility that all Americans should carry is the remembrance of those who have made our freedom possible,” he said.

“It is up to us to ensure that every veteran believes that his or her service to this country is respected by their fellow Americans,” he added.

Dorsey said the number of veterans is decreasing in the country. He said in 1980, 18 percent of the adults were veterans.

Today, that figure is 5 percent, he said.

He said less than half a percent of the U.S. population is in the active duty military.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
The Fort Dodge Senior High School Wind Ensemble plays “Stars and Stripes Forever” during the Veterans Day observance Monday in Fort Dodge.

The ceremony concluded with a rifle salute by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1856 Honor Guard and the playing of Taps.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
Laila Hickey, a freshman at St. Edmond Catholic School, talks about the history of Armistice Day and how it became Veterans Day Monday during the Fort Dodge Veterans Day commemoration.