‘That’s the concept that we’re working on’: Updates on new facility at the Fargo National Cemetery

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – U.S. Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer were joined by VA Under Secretary Matthew Quinn in Fargo to give some updates on the changes coming to the Fargo National Cemetery.

“This is a chance to control our own destiny if we can get together and do it.” said Hoeven.

Some wished there were more talks about how this benefits veterans and their families.

“We’re the tip of the spear on what goes on, on day to day operations out there as far as burying and honoring our veterans. I would have liked to hear a little bit more language what benefits veterans and families today but we’ve heard bureaucracy and cost and different fundraising.” said Tom Krabbenhoft, the spokesperson for the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard.

While there is still work to be done, they agreed to name this new center after Medal of Honor Recipient Loren D. Hagen, who was from Fargo. Another development is that the plan put forth by local veterans earlier this year will be changed because this new center will be a community based effort with the VA taking the lead. 

“At the very end. When the contractors are all done, inspections are done. VA says yeah that’s the facility we agreed to. It is turned over to the VA for ownership and it is turned over to the VA for maintenance. And it is turned over for occupancy.” said Quinn.

Many ideas were thrown around during the meeting, from the size of the building being between 10,000 to around 4,000 square feet, to how it is going to be financed.

“I would hope that somewhere in there there’s a concept we can all agree on. It would be funded and built locally and then turned over to the VA. Then they would maintain it and staff it. And do all of the other stuff that goes into a cemetery. That’s the concept that we’re working on.” said Hoeven.