Byron Dorgan: “North Dakota has long maintained strong ties with our Nation's military. My State is home to two Air Force bases and the…”

“North Dakota has long maintained strong ties with our Nation's military. My State is home to two Air Force bases and the Nation's best Air National Guard unit. More of our young people volunteer to serve their country in the military than nearly any other State. In North Dakota, our commitment to our troops does not end when we welcome them home from war. We also have a strong tradition of honoring our veterans. In fact, when I started a North Dakota Veterans History Project 5 years ago to record the stories of our veterans for future generations, the outpouring of interest resulted in more than 1,500 interviews. So I did not find it surprising that when the WDAY television station based in Fargo, ND, organized an 'Honor Flight' to bring veterans of World War II to Washington, D.C., it had an overabundance of donors and too few seats to accommodate all the veterans. But WDAY has chartered a flight to Washington next month and will bring 100 veterans of World War II to see the memorial on our National Mall that was built in their honor. My colleagues, Senator Conrad and Congressman Pomeroy, and I will host a reception for them in the historic Russell Caucus Room. I can't think of a better way to pay tribute to these heroes than this trip to our Nation's Capital. Many of them will visit for the first time the World War II Memorial that is a powerful symbol of the sacrifice they made for the safety and freedom of our country and the world.”