11.24.25

Hoeven Breaks Ground on Veterans Memorial Center, Outlines Completed VA Master Plan for Expanding Fargo National Cemetery

Senator Hosts VA Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Sam Brown at Groundbreaking

HARWOOD, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven, along with members of the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard (FMHG) and federal, state and local leaders, today broke ground on the Veterans Memorial Center at the Fargo National Cemetery (FNC). Construction on the up to 6,734 sq. ft. facility will begin in earnest during the next construction season, with construction expected to take approximately seven months. A rendering of the planned facility can be found here.

In addition, Hoeven announced the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has completed its master plan for expanding the FNC from 5 to 35 acres, representing millions of dollars of federal funding for infrastructure, parking and better access, as well as for ongoing operations and maintenance. Hoeven has been working with the VA to advance a master plan that incorporates the Honor Guard’s project and brings additional enhancements to the FNC, following his efforts to secure an additional 30 acres and initial improvements to the cemetery’s facilities. The phase 1 expansion is expected to be completed by the Spring of 2028, bringing the total number of burial spaces at the FNC to more than 8,500 with 1,337 veterans having been interred at the cemetery to date. Upon completion of all 9 phases of the Master Plan, the cemetery will provide over 45,000 burial spaces, serving veterans and their families far into the future. The layout of the VA master plan can be found here.

Hoeven worked to secure approval of the conceptual design put together by ICON Architects with VA Secretary Doug Collins and VA Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs (USMA) Sam Brown, who attended today’s groundbreaking at the senator’s invitation. Hoeven stressed that these efforts will result in a first-class federal veterans cemetery, on par with the state-run North Dakota Veterans Cemetery (NDVC) in Mandan. The senator further outlined the essential role of the innovative public-private partnership, which spans all levels of government, in bringing the project to this milestone, highlighting:

  • The efforts of the Hoeven-led community working group and the FMHG to reach agreement with the VA National Cemetery Administration (NCA) on a plan that:
    • Incorporates input from local stakeholders.
    • Preserves the spirit and intent of the FMHG project.
    • Achieves the goal of ensuring the FNC has the facilities required to meet the needs of veterans, their families and volunteers over the long-term.
  • The support of both VA Secretary Collins and VA USMA Brown for the conceptual design.

“Today’s groundbreaking is a hard-earned achievement, requiring the cooperation of stakeholders across all levels of government and from the private sector. I truly appreciate Jason Hicks, Jim Graalum and all the members of the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard for their persistent work over the years, as well as the efforts of our community working group, to make this project a reality to the benefit of veterans, their families and the cemetery’s volunteers for decades to come,” said Hoeven. “Between the Veterans Memorial Center and the improvements coming under the VA’s master plan, we are set to build a federal veterans cemetery that matches the first-class state-run cemetery we’ve built in Mandan – a project that properly honors our veterans.”

The conceptual design, which was put together by ICON Architects and advanced by Hoeven’s working group and the FMHG, includes the following features:

  • Indoor committal shelter.
  • 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.
  • Office space for VA staff.
  • Breakroom for the Honor Guard members.
  • Kiosk to assist with locating graves.
  • Kitchenette.
  • Indoor restrooms.
  • Garage to accommodate a hearse.

-###-