U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) on Monday joined several local stakeholders in announcing a community plan to develop a Veterans Memorial Center at Fargo National Cemetery (FNC) in his home state.
“Since the time of its establishment, we have worked to bring enhanced facilities to the Fargo National Cemetery that properly honor our veterans and their families, while supporting the efforts of volunteers,” Sen. Hoeven said. “Now, we have a solid community plan in place and the buy-in of the essential stakeholders, and we’re bringing that plan to the VA.”
The lawmaker joined the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard, Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney, Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson, West Fargo Mayor Bernie Dardis, and Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber Executive Director Shannon Full to unveil the community plan.
Specifically, under the proffer developed by the working group and the Honor Guard, the approximately $3.7 million Veterans Memorial Center will include a gathering area to be used by family and friends of the deceased veteran prior to or following the interment; a gallery to showcase the lives and service of the veterans; staff offices for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); a breakroom for the Honor Guard members; indoor restrooms; a garage to accommodate a hearse; and a parking lot.
Release of the plan follows Sen. Hoeven’s efforts to secure an expansion and enhancements for the FNC, with the VA having purchased land to expand the cemetery’s footprint from five acres to 35 acres.
Additionally, the VA will make significant investments, both in developing a new master plan for adding infrastructure to the land, as well as ongoing operations, staffing, and maintenance, according to information provided by the senator’s staff.
Specifically, the working group is coordinating with the VA to vet and officially name the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard as the 501(c)(3) responsible for building the Veterans Memorial Center, the information says, and the Honor Guard will utilize the Impact Foundation to provide financial oversight of the project. The working group will continue its efforts to communicate with the public and ensure local support for the project.
“With the partnership of our working group with the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard and the Impact Foundation, we are positioned to secure VA approval for this project, which will be built and donated by the Honor Guard,” said Sen. Hoeven. “But our work isn’t done, and we will continue to coordinate efforts to deliver the kind of facility that our veterans have earned.”