Hoeven Secures Agreement in Principle for FNC Veterans Memorial Center

FARGO, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today announced he has secured an agreement in principle for the Veterans Memorial Center at the Fargo National Cemetery (FNC) from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The agreement in principle is very important because Hoeven has been working with VA Secretary Doug Collins and VA staff to secure approval for the conceptual design advanced by the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard (FMHG) and the community working group to provide a first-rate federal veterans cemetery that is on par with the outstanding state veterans cemetery in Mandan. The agreement in principle combined with the funding which has already been raised, will enable the project to move forward thanks to innovative and creative federal, state, and private partnerships, similar to the model used to advance permanent flood protection for the region.
“Securing this agreement in principle will enable us to build a Veterans Memorial Center that, when combined with the enhancements the VA is making in the master plan, will provide an incredible cemetery worthy of our veterans. This federal cemetery will serve not only veterans in North Dakota, but in western Minnesota and South Dakota,” said Senator Hoeven. “We appreciate VA Secretary Collins, as well as Darrell Owens, Jon Lauder and Don Bergin for working with us to agree on a plan that will result in a Veterans Memorial Center consistent with the design and overall square footage submitted by the Honor Guard. Combined with the increased acreage and other infrastructure being developed by the VA, this project will make the FNC a worthy resting place for our veterans, on par with the state-run veterans cemetery in Mandan. We were able to get there due to all groups being willing to come together and find a collaborative, community-drive solution that will ultimately benefit veterans and their families for years to come.”
Developing the Veterans Memorial Center
Under the community plan developed by the Hoeven-led working group, the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard may develop and donate a commemorative work, such as a memorial center, to the VA National Cemetery Administration (NCA). Hoevenadvanced this optionwith the VA to save the project time and cost, while reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
The Fargo Memorial Honor Guard was officially named as the 501(c)(3) responsible for building the center in October, utilizing the Impact Foundation to provide financial oversight for the project.