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BISMARCK — U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) today launched his Veterans Advisory Board, a group of North Dakota veterans the Senator will meet with regularly to advise him on public policy affecting veterans.

“In the six years I served in the House of Representatives, this Advisory Board helped shape the policies I supported and the bills I introduced,” said Senator Cramer. “Now, I have reformed this committee and added more people who have either served our country or serve those who served our country.”

“The Veterans Advisory Board bring a practical viewpoint to the policies we debate in Congress. They offer proposals for legislation and help give me guidance on oversight, with everything from implementing the VA Mission Act to ensuring our veterans receive their benefits,” said Senator Cramer, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Veterans Affairs Committee. “They are an invaluable resource for me; and I am grateful for their service to our country and to our state, as well as for their willingness to advise me on the policies important to them.” 

The Advisory Board convened its first meeting with Senator Cramer this morning at the AMVETS Club in Bismarck. There, they discussed a wide array of topics including ways to encourage businesses to hire veterans, legislation to help veterans in crisis, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, and the USS Frank E. Evans Act. Senator Cramer also mentioned Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie has pledged to visiting North Dakota, and they are working to schedule that trip in the near future.

The members of the Advisory Board are as follows:

  • Clint Romesha (Minot) – Romesha served in the Army and is a veteran of the War in Afghanistan. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle at Kamdesh in October of 2009. 
  • Rusty Ouart (Fargo) – Ouart served in the Navy and with the North Dakota Air National Guard. He received the Purple Heart for combat wounds suffered in Iraq.
  • Al Palmer (Grand Forks) – Palmer is a former chief of staff of the North Dakota Air National Guard. He began his military career with the Air Force, enlisting with them in 1972.
  • Eric Marts (Fargo/Moorhead) – Marts served in the Army for 20 years, including during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is the creator and host of Heroes of the Heartland Radio show on WDAY 970.
  • James Becks (Grand Forks) – Becks served for 26 years as a medic in the Air Force. He was deployed to Baghdad where he acted in an advisory role to help the Iraqi Air Force set up and operate a medical clinic.  
  • Dick Grant (Fargo) – Grant is a Navy veteran. He was part of the crew who survived the crash of the USS Frank E. Evans, which saw 74 American sailors perish. His family brought this issue to the attention of then-Representative Cramer, who’s led the fight to honor these fallen and forgotten soldiers in Congress.
  • Mark Landis (Bismarck) – Landis served in the Air Force and the North Dakota Army National Guard, as well as during Operation Desert Storm. 
  • Mike Haugen (Fargo) – Haugen first enlisted in the North Dakota Air National Guard in 1967. He assumed the duties of the Adjutant General of North Dakota in December of 2000. 
  • Darcy Medicine Stone (Halliday) – Stone has been a VFW member for over thirty years.
  • Rebecca Hodgson (Mayville) – Hodgson is the Veterans Service Officer of Traill County in North Dakota, home to around 800 veterans and their families.
  • John Hanson (Grand Forks) – Hanson is a 14-year member of the VFW National Legislative Committee.
  • Ray Morrell (Mandan) – Morrell served in the Marine Corps as an Aviation Ordnance Technician and an instructor for Military Occupational Specialty. He also sought the reinstatement of the Marine Corps League within North Dakota and established local Marine Corps League detachments across the state.
  • Summer Kristianson (Fargo) – Kristianson joined the North Dakota Army National Guard nearly 13 years ago. She also works as a Veterans Service Officer for the North Dakota American Legion.
  • Jim Nelson (Bismarck) – Nelson is a Vietnam Veteran and a blue water agent orange victim. He is also Vice President and Legislative Director for the North Dakota Veterans Legislative Council.
  • Janette Fetch (Bismarck) – Fitch served 20 years of Active Guard Reserve with the Army National Guard.
  • Andrew Nathan (Hillsboro) – Nathan enlisted in the Army over 20 years ago. He currently works for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Fargo as an Employment Coordinator.  
  • Warren Tobin (Jamestown) – Tobin is the Disabled American Veterans 14th District Executive Committee Representative. He retired from the Air Force in 1993 after 20 years of service.