News

Women veterans recognized

Scott Wagar

03/13/2012

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Tuesday morning, at the Bottineau County Courthouse, a prestigious event took place honoring what has become known as the “Silent Veterans” of the local county, the female soldiers of Bottineau County.
During the Bottineau County Commissioner’s meeting on Tuesday morning, the leadership of Bottineau and its county came together to sign a proclamation honoring the Bottineau County female veterans.

In North Dakota, the month of March is recognized as Women’s Veterans Month. Bottineau veteran, Mette Omvig, and Pastor Deb Burger of Bottineau’s United Parish, established Women’s Veterans Month in Bottineau County and made requests to the city and county leadership to sign a proclamation making the month of March in Bottineau and its county as Women Veterans Month.

“We asked that you sign a proclamation making March Women Veterans Month, not just for 2012, but for all the Marches to come so we can have this month to recognize the women that have served in the past, and who are currently serving now,” Burger said. “The women have always been our silent soldiers and still are our silent soldiers, but this proclamation I think is a nice opportunity as a county to say thank you.”     

Verdean Kveum, the chairman of the Bottineau County Commissioners, and Doug Marsden, mayor of Bottineau, readily signed the proclamation while Omvig and Burger sat nearby the two leaders, while other veterans, their parents, family members, friends and community members observed silently, but with pride for all the female veterans in the county.

“Like all the veterans, we appreciate all you do,” Kveum told the women veterans.

“We appreciate everything you have done for the community and your service to our country,” Marsden stated.

After the signing, Burger read the proclamation to those in attendance.

“Whereas, women have served honorably and courageously in all of America’s wars and conflicts since the American Revolution;
Whereas, the United States military has evolved from a predominantly male force to a force with the more than 14 percent women who are currently serving on active duty, and nearly 17 percent who are serving in the Reserves and National Guard; and
Whereas, the population of women veterans is increasing exponentially, from 1.1 million in 1980 to a projected two million by 2020, comprising more than 10 percent of the veteran population and;
Whereas, North Dakota’s veteran population includes more than 5,000 women, and
Whereas, with a rapidly increasing number of women serving in the military today and returning from deployments as seasoned veterans with exposure to combat, the Department of Veterans Affairs facilitates and veteran service offices and organizations across our state are working to ensure that the post-deployment mental and physical health needs unique to women veterans are being met; and
Whereas, women veterans are encouraged to reach out to the North Dakota Department of Veteran service organizations, to ensure their voices are heard and their unique healthcare and lifestyle issues are addressed, so that women veterans of all eras receive the services and benefits they deserve; and
Whereas, North Dakotans including Bottineau County residents are encouraging to recognize the generation of women veterans who have proudly and valiantly served this great state and nation, and who have played an internal role in defending our homeland and preserving freedom around the world.”

Presently, there are 31 women veterans and active service personal from Bottineau County.

The proclamation has been framed and placed in the Bottineau County Veterans Memorial Hall for viewing.