Peace Garden News

MANDAN – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Committees on Armed Services (SASC) and Veterans’ Affairs (SVAC), delivered remarks at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery’s 31st Commemoration ceremony with Major General Alan S. Dohrmann, North Dakota National Guard Adjutant General, Governor Doug Burgum, and Senator John Hoeven (R-ND).

“On this Memorial Day, we recognize all American patriots who gave the ultimate sacrifice, like my sixth great grandfather and son of liberty Jabez Cleveland who fought for our new country at the battle of Bunker Hill and was one of the first to fall in the Revolutionary War,” said Senator Cramer. “Without heroes like him and every brave soldier who came after, we would not have the freedoms we enjoy today. Liberty is not a license; it is a responsibility. May we honor the memories of the fallen today and every day.”

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After the ceremony, Senator Cramer attended the Veterans Cemetery Columbarium groundbreaking ceremony. Earlier this year, Senator Cramer helped secure $1.86 million and $600,000 separately to expand Mandan’s North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. These resources were administered through the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program (VGCP) to support landscaping projects, infrastructure improvements, and the construction of 1,440 columbarium niches.

“Improving access to burial and memorial benefits not only pays tribute to America’s heroes but allows family and friends to visit their loved ones' final resting place," said Senator Cramer. “It’s an honor to break ground on the columbarium following the passage of my Burial Equity for Guards and Reserves Act, which has protected the eligibility of federal grant money to our state veterans cemetery. I look forward to the new facility’s impact on our veterans and their families.”

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Last Congress, Senator Cramer led several bills to support our nation’s veterans and fund efforts by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Among them, these became law:

1. The Burial Equity for Guardsmen and Reserves Act, which allows state veterans’ cemeteries to bury Guard and Reservists without penalty from the federal government.
2. The VA Solid Start Act, which strengthens the Solid Start Program.
3. The WWII Veterans Hospital and Medical Eligibility Act, which ensures all World War II (WWII) veterans have access to VA health care services. 

Original source can be found here.