Peace Garden News

MANDAN, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today addressed the North Dakota Disabled American Veterans (DAV) annual state convention in Mandan, where he thanked its members for their service and sacrifice in defense of the U.S., as well as their continued advocacy on behalf of veterans.

“The DAV does tremendous work on behalf of our nation’s veterans, and we appreciate their continued efforts to honor the sacrifices of our veterans and their families, while ensuring they receive the benefits and health care they have earned,” said Hoeven. “That’s exactly what I’m working to do through my role in the U.S. Senate. That includes making sure veterans can access the health care they need, including long-term care closer to home, while also securing investments and expansions for our state and federal veterans cemeteries so they can be properly laid to rest and their memory honored.”

Hoeven, who serves as a member of the Senate Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Committee, further discussed the importance of ensuring veterans receive the recognition, benefits and health care they have earned. To this end, the senator has worked to:

• Ensure veteran access to health care by advancing permanent regulatory relief to enable more community providers, including long-term care (LTC) facilities, to contract with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
• Enhance the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan and secure a nearly $1.9 million grant for a new columbarium at the NDVC.
  • This award was possible due to the passage of legislation Hoeven authored and successfully passed to ensure cemeteries like the NDVC remained eligible for VA grants.
• Expand the Fargo National Cemetery and its facilities. This includes supporting efforts to expand the cemetery from 5 to 35 acres and advance infrastructure projects that support the cemetery and benefit veterans, families and volunteers.
• Establish a new veteran pilot training program at the University of North Dakota (UND), which can help veterans cover the gap for costs not included under the GI Bill and other benefits, like Federal Tuition Assistance. 

Photo: https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/imo/media/image/hoeven-dav.jpg

Original source can be found here.