July 21, 2009

Governor Riley Unveils License Plate Designs for Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans

MONTGOMERY - Flanked by veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Governor Bob Riley today unveiled the designs for two distinctive license plates that will be available to veterans of those wars beginning August 1.

“No matter how much we do for our veterans, we can never thank them enough. These special license plates are a way for us to honor these veterans and also allow them to display the great pride they have in serving our country,” said Governor Riley. “When Alabamians see one of these plates on a vehicle, I hope it will cause them to stop and reflect on how much our military men and women are sacrificing for us. We all need to remember them and their families in our prayers,” the Governor said.

The bill authorizing the creation of the two special license plates was passed during the 2009 legislative session. In his second term agenda, Plan 2010, Governor Riley called the creation of such license plates for veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The bill was sponsored in the Senate by Senator Larry Dixon and in the House by Representatives Duwayne Bridges and Richard Laird.

Speaking to soldiers and airmen in the audience at the unveiling, Representative Bridges said, “We enjoy our freedoms because of you. I thank you and I thank God for America and for Alabama.”

The new license plates are administered the same as other distinctive plates for veterans of World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam and Desert Storm and require an issuance fee of $23 and an additional $3 when the license plate is issued. The license plates can also be personalized for an additional fee.