10.26.12

Delegation Honors Service Members, Families at Day of the Deployed Ceremony in Bismarck

BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven and Congressman Rick Berg today honored the nation’s deployed service members and their families for their courage and commitment to country at the 7th Annual State and 2nd Annual National Day of the Deployed ceremony at Bismarck State College. The ceremony was broadcast live across the U.S. as well as to North Dakota National Guard members deployed to Afghanistan.

“Our men and women in uniform willingly answer the call to serve our nation. We are extremely grateful to them and their loved ones for all of the sacrifices they make on our behalf. We honor these brave Americans and their families on this Day of the Deployed and promise to keep them in our thoughts and prayers each and every day,” said Hoeven.

“Each year, we honor our fallen heroes on Memorial Day, and all those who have served on Veterans Day. The Day of the Deployed gives us an opportunity to focus on those who are fighting for us today. It is important that we mark this day in honor of those who serve,” Senator Kent Conrad said.

“The Day of the Deployed is a chance for us to reflect on the sacrifice and commitment of our military personnel and formally offer our thanks to these brave men and women. While we can never fully appreciate the sacrifice of our soldiers and their families, we must do all that we can to honor their service to our country,” said Berg.

In 2006, Shelle Michaels Aberle, who leads a non-profit supporting troops, veterans and families, approached then-Governor Hoeven for his support of a Day of the Deployed in North Dakota. Hoeven was the first governor in the nation to honor deployed service members by proclaiming Oct. 26, 2006 as Day of the Deployed. By 2010, 40 states had joined the cause and celebrated a Day of the Deployed.

Hoeven continued his support for Day of the Deployed as a member of the U.S. Senate. For the past two years, the Senate has unanimously passed a resolution introduced by Hoeven and cosponsored by Conrad declaring a National Day of the Deployed. Senate Resolution 581 calls on all Americans to observe the Day of the Deployed and show support and gratitude to the nation’s deployed service members and their families.

“Senate Resolution 581 passing unanimously in the U.S. Senate again is proof that America believes in and stands alongside the deployed troops wherever in the world they are defending our country’s interests,” said Aberle. “Back in 2006, Day of the Deployed was simply an event to honor our deployed warriors and their families. It is now etched in America's history books.”