by Janet Hansen
A large crowd, including congressmen, state legislators, veterans and National Guard members, as well as residents of Lisbon and the surrounding community were on hand for the official ground breaking ceremony for the new $25.6 million North Dakota Veterans Home (NDVH), which took place on Saturday afternoon, June 7 in Lisbon.
A group from the 188th Army Band, Fargo, provided music prior to the ceremony.
Major General Darrol Schroeder, USAF retired, served as Master of Ceremonies for the event. Schroeder, who has twice served as interim commandant at the facility, gave the welcome. “This is truly a great day for the City of Lisbon, for the state of North Dakota, and for our veterans,” he said. He went on to thank the members of the 815th Engineering Battalion, who have been preparing the site for the new home, as well as all who have worked diligently to get the federal and state funding for the project.
The first dignitary to be introduced was Governor John Hoeven. Governor Hoeven referred to the many soldiers who have served their country both in past and present times. He reminded the crowd of D-Day, the day on which the invasion of Normandy began during World War II. That famous invasion began on June 6, sixty-four years ago. Hoeven then went on to state that he had come to Lisbon directly from Jamestown, where, that morning, he had welcomed home 108 members of the 817th Combat Engineering Battalion, who had served a year in Iraq.
“Our veterans sacrifice so much for our state and nation, and the North Dakota Veterans Home project is a way for all of us to say thank you in a very real and tangible way,” said Hoeven. “Providing our financial and moral support gives us a great opportunity to show our appreciation to both current and future generations of North Dakota servicemen and women.”
Governor Hoeven presented NDVH Administrator Mark Johnson a North Dakota flag. “This flag, which has flown over the state capitol, will, upon completion of this project, fly over the new North Dakota Veterans Home,” he said.
Ross Cole, mayor of Lisbon, welcomed those in attendance to the City of Lisbon and spoke of the importance and magnitude of the project.
Next on the agenda was United States Senator Kent Conrad. “I remember visiting this facility 30 years ago,” he said, “and it needed improvements then.” He went on to explain that, when approached for funding for a new facility, the U.S. Veterans Administration had stated it would be willing to provide funding if the state would come up with a portion of the cost. He praised the state legislature for being willing to appropriate the matching funds for the new home. “Our veterans deserve the finest care our country can provide,” stated Conrad. “They have made great sacrifices in defense of our freedom. We have a responsibility to care for them. This will be a world-class facility.”
U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan then took his turn at the podium. “This is my third trip to Lisbon in 15 months,” he stated. “On March 15, 2007, I visited the facility along with a representative from the Veterans Administration. After touring the home and collecting information, the decision on whether to remodel or rebuild had to be made. It was decided that the facility needed to be rebuilt.”
“It has been said that this country will be the home of the free as long as it is the home of the brave,” stated Dorgan. He went on to tell the story of the late Edmund Young Eagle, a NDVH resident whom he had visited in the VA hospital in Fargo. Young Eagle’s family had asked for Dorgan’s help in obtaining the veteran’s service medals. Having procured the medals, Dorgan brought them to the hospital. He pinned them to Young Eagle’s pajama top. Several staff members from the NDVH had traveled from Lisbon to be there for the presentation. Dorgan recalled that Young Eagle, who died two days later, had remarked that receiving the medals he had earned during World War II was one of the proudest moments of his life.
“This ground breaking is a proud day for the men and women who have given so much to this country by serving in our military,” Dorgan said. “Our veterans made a promise to serve their country, and they fulfilled it. In return, we need to keep our promise to ensure they get first-rate care in a first-rate facility. That’s what this project will do.”
During the conclusion of his remarks, Dorgan presented Johnson with a U.S. flag which had flown over the national capitol.
U.S. Earl Pomeroy was unable to attend the ground breaking ceremony, but sent a letter to be read by his chief-of-staff, Bill Heigaard.
Brig. Gen. Robert Udland, North Dakota National Guard commander, Joint Training and Operations Command, was next to address the crowd. “The National Guard is proud to be a part of this project,” he said. He explained that the guard is doing the ground work necessary to prepare the site. Groups will be coming in two-week shifts, with the work replacing their usual “innovative readiness training.”
Currently there are approximately 35 National Guard members in Lisbon with bulldozers, graders, loaders, dump trucks and other heavy equipment, preparing the site for construction.
“It has been said that you can tell a nation’s character by how well it treats its veterans,” stated Udland. “If that is the case, the state of North Dakota has strong character!”
“Our soldiers have been gaining valuable, real-world experience as they contribute to the initial phases of construction at the Veterans Home,” Udland stated. “More than that, however, is the satisfaction we all feel in being able to contribute to such a needed, worthwhile project. It’s an honor to serve those who have served before us in the Armed Forces.”
Norris Braaten, chairman of the governing board of the North Dakota Veterans Home, told of the work that is currently being done on the construction site. A shelter belt has been removed and topsoil removed. He informed the gathering that Foss Associates has been chosen as the architect for the project.
Mark Johnson, NDVH administrator, was the last speaker on the program. He began his remarks with the words, “Wow! What a day!” He commented that the nice weather which had been ordered for the ground-breaking ceremony had come through. He then went on to thank guests, friends, staff, and dignitaries for their part in making the ground breaking a success. Special thanks went to the Ransom County Fair Board which had provided the stage for the ceremony.
Johnson quickly reviewed the events which had led to the ground breaking, beginning with a Life Safety Violation which led to an investigation into the possibility of renovation or rebuilding. He thanked the federal, state, and local legislators for their help in getting the necessary funding for a new facility. He explained that a seven-acre site is currently being prepared for the construction project. The entire NDVH campus includes 93 acres. According to Johnson, the tentative timetable is to have the site preparation complete by the end of June, to call for bids in July or August, to begin construction by September or October, and to open the new facility by June of 2010.
“The new home will be built on a household-neighborhood concept, which offers more dignity and privacy for our residents than the current facility,” Johnson said. “The new home will have two 49-bed basic-care units and one 52-bed skilled-care unit.”
“This new facility will enhance the quality of life for our veterans, and will expand the support and care services available to them and their spouses,” said Mark Johnson, administrator of the North Dakota Veterans Home. “With improved accommodations, increased privacy and advanced care opportunities, our veterans will receive the support they need and deserve for the sacrifices they have made for this country.”
Johnson introduced state and local legislators who were in attendance and recognized the National Guard Troops which have been doing the tree-removal and dirt-moving at the construction site. He also introduced Rudy Jenson, chairman of the Administrative Committee on Veterans Affairs (ACOVA).
The following NDVH residents, chosen to represent various branches of the armed services, were introduced: Dwaine Vise, U.S. Army; Gus Arp, U.S. Navy; Ida Olstad, Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps; Marvin Schiermeister, U.S. Marine Corps; and Larry Hertwig, U.S. Army
The members of the NDVH Governing Board are: Norris Braaten, Hankinson, chairman; Daryl Beard, Williston; Orletta Kilen, Almont; Brad Maasjo, Fargo; Jerry Meske, Bismarck; Darrol Schroeder, Fargo; and DuWayne Ternes, Bismarck.
Members of the NDVH Construction Board include: Norris Braaten, chairman; Darrol Schroeder and DuWayne Ternes, governing board members; Mark B. Johnson, administrator; Kristin Lunneborg, accounting manager; and Robert “Bob” Nelson, physical plant director.
Filed under: Area News
