MANDAN, ND – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a member of the Armed Services and Veterans Affairs committees, attended the North Dakota National Guard’s Virtual Memorial Day Ceremony today held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.
Alongside Governor Doug Burgum, Senator John Hoeven, Major General Al Dohrmann, and keynote speaker Major (Retired) Arnie Strebe, Senator Cramer delivered remarks honoring those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
“President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address reminds us that the fallen gave their lives so we could live, and admonishes the living to rededicate themselves to the mission these heroes died defending,” said Senator Cramer. “The best way to honor the war dead is to live like people who are free and unafraid.”
Senator Cramer concluded his remarks quoting the final verse of the Star Spangled Banner:
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
In addition to these remarks, today’s event included a flyover of two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, singing of the national anthem by Brianna Heibling, wreath placement by Governor Burgum, a cannon salute, the playing of Taps by Doug Webber of (American Veterans) AMVETS Post #9, flags being raised to full staff, and opening and closing prayers by Chaplain Jon Wymer.