Vinita, Oklahoma Veterans Bridge

The Veterans Bridge was dedicated on June 6, 1994, on the 50th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France in World War II. It was dedicated in honor and memory of all veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States, since the formation of the Republic. The Bridge is a 2-lane, concrete and steel structure that spans Bull Creek, within the city limits of Vinita, Oklahoma. There are protective steel guard rails installed along the roadway leading to the bridge abutments, on both sides of the road, on both the east and west entries. On each side of the bridge is a dedicatory marker inscribed: “Veterans Bridge Dedicated June 6, 1994 by the Craig County Commissioners …” with the names of the three commissioners listed. (Note: Vinita is a city in Craig County, Oklahoma in the northeast corner of the State. It is the County Seat of Craig County, with a population of 5,563 (2016). It was established in 1871, and incorporated in “Indian Territory” in 1898, before statehood. The city is named for American sculptor Lavinia “Vinnie” Ream, who is best known for her statue of Abraham Lincoln in the U.S. Capital rotunda. Vinita was the first city in Oklahoma with electricity, and the second oldest city in the State. Located in the city are: Eastern State Hospital, a state mental health facility; the headquarters for Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA); and the world's largest (in terms of area) McDonald's restaurant which bridges over Interstate I-44. Vinita is also the site of the annual Will Rogers Rodeo, sponsored by the local American Legion since 1935. The rodeo attracts the nation’s best rodeo performers with a large purse, outstanding competition, reputation, and its size and hospitality, to make it one of the biggest and best rodeo events in the land.) (Note: The D-Day landings at Normandy, France on June 6, 1944, marked the beginning of the Allied invasion of Europe. The amphibious assault was the largest in history and was the key operation that would lead to the liberation of Western Europe.)