A ceremonial groundbreaking took place on November 24, 2023, for the new Veterans Memorial Center at the Fargo National Cemetery in Harwood, North Dakota. This facility aims to provide enhanced comfort for families of veterans and those who honor their service. Construction is set to begin in the next building season at the cemetery, located at 8709 40th Ave. N.
Senator John Hoeven, alongside members of the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard and various local, state, and federal leaders, participated in the event. Among the notable attendees was Sam Brown, the Veterans Affairs Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs and a U.S. Army veteran who sustained serious injuries from a Taliban bomb in 2008 while on duty in Afghanistan. Brown emphasized the significance of the new center, stating, “It’ll be a place where we don’t have to stand in the cold and the wind to comfort those families, the families who’ve lost their loved ones.”
In his remarks, Hoeven recognized Brown’s dedication, highlighting his pivotal role in bringing the project to fruition. “He jumped on this with two feet. He has been an absolute tiger, and that’s why we’re able to do this on this beautiful day in November in North Dakota,” Hoeven remarked.
Facility Details and Funding Sources
The Veterans Memorial Center is designed by Icon Architects and will span more than 6,700 square feet. The facility will feature an indoor committal shelter, a gathering area for families and friends of deceased veterans, restrooms, a gallery to honor veterans’ lives and service, office space for VA staff, a breakroom for Honor Guard members, a kitchenette, and a garage for a hearse. This comprehensive design aims to enhance the experience of visitors to the cemetery.
The project is made possible through nearly $2 million raised by the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard, federal funding, and a significant allocation of $3 million from the state of North Dakota. Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, the North Dakota Adjutant General who retired in late 2024, spoke on behalf of Governor Kelly Armstrong, who was unable to attend. He noted the state’s commitment to supporting veterans and their families, stating, “It’s something the state didn’t have to do, but something the state is just hard-wired to do, to make sure that we take care of our veterans, our families, our survivors and all that served.”
The Fargo National Cemetery serves veterans from North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. Previously, the cemetery’s five-acre footprint lacked amenities for visiting families. The new facility, along with other enhancements, aims to transform the experience for visitors.
Future Expansion Plans
Additionally, Hoeven announced that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has completed a master plan to expand the Fargo National Cemetery from its current five acres to a total of 35 acres. Federal funding will support infrastructure improvements, including enhanced access and parking, as well as ongoing operations and maintenance.
As of now, there are 1,337 veterans interred at the Fargo National Cemetery. The first phase of the expansion will create over 8,500 burial spaces and is expected to be completed by 2028. Once all nine phases of the expansion are completed, the cemetery is projected to offer more than 45,000 burial spaces, ensuring it can serve veterans and their families well into the future. Brown expressed gratitude for this opportunity, noting, “I’m grateful that we have the opportunity to expand the cemetery… (that) will continue to serve without any additional expansion through at least 2050.”
