BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum joined U.S. Sen. John Hoeven and other officials from Minnesota and North Dakota for Veterans Day activities in Fargo that included a parade and raising of colors at the Fargo Civic Center followed by a formal program. Burgum, whose father, Joe, was a naval officer aboard the USS Wren in the Pacific during World War II, gave opening remarks at the Civic Center event.
“We are deeply grateful and forever indebted to all of our veterans in North Dakota, including our Native American veterans, for their courageous service to safeguard the freedoms of America and our allies,” said Burgum. “Our great nation’s incredible history and unlimited future was only made possible by centuries of service by our armed forces veterans fighting for freedom and democracy around the world. Thank you for your role in creating peace through strength.”
Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford, joining Sen. Heidi Heitkamp and local officials at the All-Veterans Centennial Memorial at the Heritage Center in Bismarck, spoke about North Dakota’s proud history of military service.
“The courage and perseverance exhibited by those in all branches of the military reminds us of the privilege we have of living in a country as great as the United States, which speaks to a common thread we all share: the capacity for gratitude,” Sanford said. “All of us can pay our deepest respects to those who put service to country and preservation of liberty above all else.”
Burgum and Sanford also highlighted the return of about 60 members of the North Dakota National Guard’s Bismarck-based 136th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, who are expected to return to Fort Hood, Texas, today after a nearly year-long deployment in Afghanistan, joining their families, friends and fellow North Dakotans in wishing them a warm welcome home.