When it debuted some 56 years ago, the span that carries First Avenue South over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks was named Veterans Bridge.

It was an appropriate name, but it was just a name and as the decades passed a number of people forgot that the bridge was even called that.

Now the bridge is truly a tribute to veterans, especially a World War II veteran who was the city’s mayor when it was built. And the transformation was driven by a relatively small group of veterans who brought an idea to city officials, and then enlisted the support of the public to raise all the money needed to pay for the items that transformed the bridge into a salute to the men and women who served their country.

The result is the Albert Habhab Veterans Memorial Bridge.

Approaching it from the west, people will notice a monument sign bearing the bridge’s new name. An identical sign is being created on the bridge’s east side – it is covered with tarps right now. On the bridge’s lamp posts are lighted metal signs in the shape of folded American flags, plus the emblems of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard. All of those emblems are illuminated from within and look very impressive at night.

Still to come is some lighting on the bridge’s rails and a plaza on its east side.

All of that is being paid for by donations, not tax dollars. The total cost is estimated at $1.5 million.

Now the city government did spend about $3.6 million on the bridge recently, but all of that went into concrete and steel for the bridge’s deck and piers. None of it went for the veterans tribute items.

It was that major rehabilitation project that got some local veterans thinking about making the bridge into a real tribute to former service members. Tom Dorsey, the commander of American Legion Post 130, brought the concept up at about three different veterans meetings before things really started rolling. Then things started happening pretty quickly. Ideas were sketched out. Meetings were held with city officials. An engineering firm was commissioned to make detailed plans.

In November 2023, the City Council renamed the bridge the Albert Habhab Veterans Memorial Bridge. Habhab, an Army veteran, received the Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman Badge for his service in World War II. He was mayor of Fort Dodge for 14 years, a district court judge, Iowa Court of Appeals judge and finally chief judge of the Court of Appeals.

The first monument sign and the emblems went up this fall. The bridge was dedicated during this year’s Veterans Day observance.

The transformation of this bridge demonstrates the power of an idea. The result of that idea is a worthwhile tribute to those who have protected our freedom at the risk of their lives.

We are confident that it will remain an outstanding tribute to veterans for decades to come.