At Long Last, a Va. Air Force Memorial

Airman 1st Class Christopher Stephenson, left, joins fellow Air Force Honor Guard members, Airman 1st Class Peadar Clark, 2nd from left, and Airman 1st Class Benjamin Johnson, 3rd from left, as they study a bronze sculpture of the Air Force Honor Guard on the grounds surrounding the U.S. Air Force Memorial in Arlingotn, Va., Thursday, Oct 12, 2006. The memorial will be formally dedicated by President Bush Saturday October 14th. (AP Photo/Chris Greenberg) (Chris Greenberg - AP)

The Air Force was the only military branch without a monument around the capital. Efforts to change that, though, were stymied by controversy, lawsuits and congressional action until the current site and design went forward.

The memorial was first planned for a spot on the other side of Arlington National Cemetery, and Freed's design of a suspended five-pointed star won the competition in the mid-1990s. But the Marines disputed the location, saying it encroached on their cherished Iwo Jima Memorial nearby.

Lawsuits ensued and legislation was passed to prevent construction. Eventually, a new site was donated and the designing process had to start over. Freed won again with a design said to be inspired after the architect saw the Thunderbirds on television.

The design has been trumpeted for its modern appeal and its reflection of the Air Force's advanced technology.

___

Associated Press writer Lubna Takruri contributed to this report.

___

On the Net:

Air Force Memorial Foundation: http://www.airforcememorial.org/