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Fargo Memorial Honor Guard and Veterans Groups Urge State Help for Cemetery Memorial Center
Summary
Witnesses told the committee that a $3 million line of credit would allow local groups to complete a memorial center at Fargo National Cemetery; the VA would assume long‑term operation if it approves the project.
Senate Bill 2265, proposing a $3 million line of credit to support construction of a memorial center at Fargo National Cemetery, drew emotional testimony from honor‑guard volunteers, veterans and local officials at a House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee hearing.
Senator Scott Meyer, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the proposed facility would include a gathering area for families, an exhibit gallery, office space for VA staff, restrooms, a garage for ceremonial vehicles and additional parking. Meyer said the proposed arrangement is that a local nonprofit would build the facility and, pending Department of Veterans Affairs approval, the VA would assume ongoing ownership, staffing and maintenance costs.
"This is the key part: The VA would then assume the ongoing costs of owning, operating, staffing, and maintaining the facility," Meyer said, relaying the terms the VA provided during prior discussions.
Jason Hicks, commander of the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard, told lawmakers volunteers frequently perform services in winter blizzards and that the cemetery’s lack of facilities forces families and volunteers to wait in vehicles or stand exposed in extreme weather. He said the honor guard has raised roughly $1.5 million in cash and significant in‑kind donations toward the project but needs the state contribution to reach fundraising targets and begin construction.
Fundraising lead Jim Grolum said the group has nearly 300 donors who gave $500 or more and in‑kind gifts that bring the project to about $3.2 million in pledged support; he estimated total project costs including parking and site work would reach roughly $5 million. Officials with Vision Bank and the Tacoma Medical Foundation explained how a line of credit and fiduciary arrangements could be structured; Senator Meyer said the bill uses a contingent line of credit because the project remains contingent on VA approval.
Jordan Kanen (Kaneyainen) of the Industrial Commission said if the bill passes the commission would administer the funds in a reimbursement model typical of Industrial Commission grants and that the commission’s standard practice is a 50/50 match requirement, though the bill’s language leaves matching specifics to a later plan approved by the commission.
The committee did not take a final vote at the hearing; supporters urged the committee to pass the bill so the local group could demonstrate project funding to the VA and begin construction as soon as federal approvals arrive.
What happens next: The bill will be considered by the committee during the appropriation and budgeting process; state support would be contingent on VA acceptance of the local construction plan and on subsequent appropriation to retire any line of credit.
