A plan to build Veterans Memorial Center at Fargo National Cemetery

(KNOX) – Senator John Hoeven, joined by the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard, Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney, Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson, West Fargo Mayor Bernie Dardis and FMWF Executive Director Shannon Full, today announced a community plan to develop a Veterans Memorial Center at Fargo National Cemetery (FNC). This follows Hoeven’s efforts as a member of the Senate Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Committee to secure an expansion and enhancements for FNC, with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) having purchased land to expand the cemetery’s footprint from 5 to 35 acres. The expansion comes with significant investment by the VA, both in developing a new master plan for adding infrastructure to the land, as well as ongoing operations, staffing and maintenance.

Hoeven has since been working to coordinate efforts among veterans groups, local stakeholders and the VA to build a facility at the FNC that incorporates local input and adequately addresses the needs of veterans, their families and volunteers. As a result:

·       Stakeholders from the region have formed a working group to support the development effort, consisting of Senator Hoeven’s office, the mayors of Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo and the executive director of the FMWF Chamber.

·       The Hoeven-led group is working 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.

o   Hoeven advanced this option with the VA to save the project time and cost, using a process wherein a local nonprofit may develop and donate a commemorative work, such as a visitor’s center, to the National Cemetery Administration (NCA).

o   Hoeven continues working to ensure the VA follows through on its commitment to support this project moving forward, having raised this priority in a Senate committee hearing with VA Secretary Denis McDonough.

·       The Honor Guard will utilize the Impact Foundation to provide financial oversight of the project.

o   The Honor Guard has prepared a proffer to submit to the VA for review, in collaboration with Hoeven’s working group.

·       The working group will continue its efforts to communicate with the public and ensure local support for the project.

“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. 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,” said Senator Hoeven. “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. But our work isn’t done, and we will continue to coordinate efforts to deliver the kind of facility that our veterans have earned.”

Under the proffer developed by the working group and the Honor Guard, the approximately $3.7 million Veterans Memorial Center will include the following amenities:

·       Gathering area to be used by family and friends of the deceased veteran prior to or following the interment.

·       Gallery to showcase the lives and service of our veterans.

·       Offices for VA staff.

·       Breakroom for the Honor Guard members.

·       Indoor restrooms.

·       Garage to accommodate a hearse.

·       Parking lot.