FREEDOM BRIDGE FOUNDATION RECEIVES AWARD

10/28/08
Veterans United Inc. has selected the Freedom Bridge Foundation as this year’s recipient of the Organizational Luke Award, named after Arizona’s Medal of Honor recipient, Frank Luke.

The Luke Awards are presented annually in various categories, including Individual Male, Individual Female, Government, Media, Business, Youth and Veterans United Member. Frank Luke was a World War I aviator who died in combat.
The Freedom Bridge Foundation is a non-profit group raising money to enhance an already-planned bridge construction project in Lake Havasu City. The Freedom Bridge, to be located about a half-mile north of the world famous London Bridge, will honor all Veterans, past and present.

“Your organization was selected for your efforts to create and pay for all the enhancements to the entire Freedom Bridge project, without any additional costs to citizens,” wrote Mark Crough, managing director of Veterans United.
The proposed enhancements, including an improved bridge design and a Memorial Park on adjacent property, “would be a compliment to the grand London Bridge while being an additional visitor attraction itself,” Crough wrote.

The Foundation’s primary fundraiser is through the sale of engraved bricks along the Memorial Walkway connecting the two bridges. The Memorial Walkway also will feature the “76 Moments of Freedom,” which is currently being developed by Arizona State University’s public history program. To purchase an engraved brick, visit www.havasufreedombridge.com.

Based in Bullhead City, Veterans United is dedicated to perpetuating the memory of America’s fallen service members. The Luke Awards will be presented on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, at Arizona Veterans Memorial Park in Bullhead City.
“We are truly honored to be receiving this award,” said Freedom Bridge Foundation President Brian Wedemeyer. “The Foundation’s volunteers are working tirelessly to create a Veterans Memorial like no other in the country, and it’s wonderful to be recognized for those efforts.”