Veteran’s Corner

Jason Hicks | Commander United Patriotic bodies

Fargo Memorial Honor Guard

Happy New Year to all! We at the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard have had a very busy year. We conducted our last ceremony on Thursday December 28th for the year 2023. To date we have 891 total internments, Veterans 704 Spouses 187.
The break down for branch of service is as follows: Army: 374, Navy: 145, Air Force: 131, Marines: 50, Army Air force: 4 (WW2)
Since we started conducting ceremonies at the Fargo national cemetery we have donated 11,663 hours of labor (National Cemetery)
Besides the scared duty of providing military honors at the Fargo national cemetery, the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard has been extremely active with parades, flag presentations, public and private informational presentations, and helping other non-profits through volunteering assistance. We feel that active community involvement is of utmost importance for a healthy and thriving organization. Our organization is trying to correct the common misconception that Veterans groups sit around the bar and tell war stories, and while you do enjoy partaking in those activities we are way more than that and offer many other outlets to connect. We are very active on social media as well. Follow us on facebook.
On January 3rd 2024 the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard hosted its first ceremony of the year. This Veteran was also unclaimed (more explanation to follow)
Spc 4 Merle Lee Shrank, served in the US Army from November 1964- November 1967, including one year and nine months in Vietnam. Shrank was awarded the coveted Combat Medical Badge. The Fargo Memorial Honor Guard provided pall bearers, chaplain, rifle volley and taps for our comrade. We always appreciate the public turn out to insure service to our country is not forgotten.
For clarification an unclaimed Veteran means there is no next of kin to claim the remains of the deceased Veteran and to receive the folded flag. Sometimes one of our members, Lisa Folstad is able to find and contact next of kin to advise them of the lost relative.
In closing I am very proud to be the Commander of the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard and to have such a wonderful and dedicated group of Veterans willing to serve our community.