05.07.24

Hoeven to VA Secretary: Continue Working With Community to Develop Enhanced Facilities at Fargo National Cemetery

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Committee, secured a commitment from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough for the VA to continue working with stakeholders in the region to build a Veterans Cemetery Center on the newly purchased land that expands the Fargo National Cemetery from 5 to 35 acres. Hoeven pressed for the VA’s continued support with the upcoming departure of Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Matt Quinn, who oversees VA cemeteries.

“We secured a commitment from VA Secretary McDonough to ensure that as USMA Quinn leaves his post in the coming weeks that the VA will continue working with our state and local leaders, veterans groups and other stakeholders in the region to develop a new Veterans Cemetery Center at the Fargo National Cemetery, ” said Hoeven. “This is all part of our efforts to ensure that the Fargo National Cemetery has the facilities worthy of the service and sacrifice of our veterans.”

Hoeven recently secured a provision as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill that directs the VA to work with State and local organizations interested in constructing and donating facilities at Rural Initiative national cemeteries, like FNC, in order to meet the needs of veterans, visitors, and volunteers.

Hoeven has been working to coordinate efforts between the VA and local stakeholders to develop a plan for a Veterans Cemetery Center on the newly purchased land that:

  • Incorporates input from local stakeholders.
    • Hoeven brought local feedback to USMA Quinn and secured agreement to allow a local non-profit to build the facility, subject to VA approval, which will save time and cost.
    • The VA would then assume the ongoing costs of owning, operating, staffing and maintaining the facility.
    • This comes in addition to the millions of dollars the VA has spent establishing, expanding and developing infrastructure for the FNC.
  • Properly accommodates North Dakota’s veterans, their families and volunteers.
    • This means a center that includes a chapel, gathering space, kitchen and breakroom, locker room, restrooms, office space and storage.

Expanding FNC

In January, Hoeven announced the purchase of land to expand FNC’s footprint from 5 acres to 35 acres, following his efforts to ensure the cemetery has adequate space for the future. Hoeven worked through his role on the Senate Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Committee to ensure the timely completion of the required NEPA review. The senator also repeatedly met with local leaders, landowners and VA officials to advance negotiations over the land sale.

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