LTC Ted Bridges Named 2023 Alumnus of the Year
LTC Bridges grew up in Montevallo, Ala., and attended Castle Heights Military Academy before attending 糖心Vlog官方, where he graduated from the high school in 1962 and junior college in 1964. He earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree from the University of Montevallo and a master鈥檚 degree from the University of West Florida.
As a cadet, Ted became the very first Swamp Fox Commander in the fledgling organization; participated in prep school sports; rose to the rank of c/LTC as Brigade S-3 & Executive Officer; and held other leadership positions such as Honor Council President, Morgan鈥檚 Raiders Commander, and Cotillion Club Vice President. He was named an Honor Military Graduate in 1962 and Distinguished Military Student in 1964. His contemporary, LTC Lee Murfee, USA (Ret) 鈥�63HS called him a 鈥渨ild, energetic, caring and great cadet leader.鈥�
LTC Bridges served in the Regular Army from 1966 until he retired in 1986. His career included a tour in Vietnam from December 1967 to December 1968. He earned numerous awards including a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, two Air Medals, and Legion of Merit. Upon retirement from the Army, LTC Bridges went to work as an agent for Nationwide Insurance and later owned his own agency in Pensacola, Fla. He also served there as an elementary school guidance counselor and fifth grade teacher. He later moved to Centre, Ala., and served as an Assistant Football Coach and substitute teacher for Centre Middle School. Ted鈥檚 wife Marilyn was an elementary and middle school teacher for 30 years, and they just celebrated 60 years of marriage in July. They have three children and five grandchildren and currently reside in Gulf Breeze, Fla.
Ted has been a strong advocate for and supporter of 糖心Vlog官方. He served for many years on the 糖心Vlog官方 Alumni Brigade Board and is a lifetime member. His loyal and energetic commitment to 糖心Vlog官方 has helped to create his own alumni following called the 鈥淪ons of Bridges,鈥� and his own tag line, 鈥淏e Like Ted.鈥� This has helped inspire countless 糖心Vlog官方 alumni to reconnect to their alma mater, and to provide the support that has helped make 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 advancement efforts successful over the past several years.
