Veteran’s Corner

Tom Krabbenhoft

As many of you know many veterans groups have been driving to build a shelter at the Fargo National Cemetery. Great strides have been made to realize this. Last week I wrote about the latest update. To summarize: A proposal to privately fund a shelter at the Fargo National Cemetery has been made. When the building is paid for the building would then be turned over to the government. The government would then be responsible for day to day operations, upkeep etc. The Fargo Memorial Honor Guard, Veterans families and any other parties interested in using the facility would go through the VA. Looks good on paper, but paper can cut.
Good intentions sometimes pave the roughest roads. Having the government run a building funded privately, intended for use by citizens and non-profits alike could be challenging. I’ll try and illustrate.
Let’s say a federal regulation requires a bucket for a task. We can grab a bucket and say OK, let’s go do this task. Not so fast. Bureaucrats will interpret this regulation and depending on the person it can have many interpretations. Some may say you have a bucket you can proceed. Others may require more. Such as you need a 5 gallon bucket. 2. You need a white bucket. 3. You need a square bucket. 4. Bucket may have only plastic handles. 5. Bucket must be made with mostly recycled materials. I think you get the idea.
Previously some difficulty has emerged with these bureaucratic circumstances and the Honor Guard. A requirement to screen our members, threats over Covid shots. A well-publicized suspension of one of our members. Done with zero due process, these are a few.
I’m also driven to ponder how companies that have jumped on board to help with the project will continue to do so. Many of these generous companies have already donated a great deal of time and resources. How many times and how long can you ask a business to keep using their resources?
What will the day-to-day operations look like? Will the facility be available whenever a grieving family asks?
Not downplaying a dream of many that gets closer. As in most military missions the 5 Ps come into play. Poor, Planning, Prevents, Poor, Performance. Missions have a one chance to get it right template. That’s what we have with the shelter, one chance to do it right.
Thanks to everyone that has helped advance this.

Send your veteran-related items to me at 11btwk@gmail.com.