QUESTION:  Have you devoted your life to serving others?

ANSWER: There are approximately two million Women Veterans, making up 10% of the total Veteran population. Many have devoted their lives to serving others while enduring significant barriers and challenges.  Women Veterans are not only overlooked by those around them, but frequently struggle to consider themselves as Veterans.

QUESTION:  What percentage of Women Veterans do we have in Traill County?

ANSWER:  According to the 2021 National Center for Veterans Analysis & Statistics, it is estimated that 7% of the Veterans in Traill County are female and 93% are male.  Additional Traill County demographics include 45% of the Veteran population in Traill County is over the age of 65 and 53% of the Veteran population in Traill County is under the age of 65.

QUESTION: What is Traill County doing to honor the Women Veterans in our community who have devoted their lives to serving others?

ANSWER: Every year the Traill County VSO hosts a Blue Christmas Remembrance Service to honor our beloved Veterans.  This Holiday Remembrance Service will be held on Thursday, December 7^th, 2023, at 7:00pm at the Portland Senior Center. Everyone is welcome to attend.

QUESTION: Who are the 3 Women that Traill County will be honoring at the 2023 Veterans Remembrance Service?

ANSWER: In December 2023, we will be honoring 3 extraordinary Women from Traill County that have devoted their lives to serving others. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

(1) Cheryl Rose Engel- She was born and raised in Hatton, ND. At the age of 18 she joined the Air Force and was stationed in Sacramento, CA. Cheryl passed away at the age of 83, on March 20th, 2023. We are forever grateful for her sacrifice.

(2) Frances Marie Lee- She was born and raised in the rural Portland, ND area. Early in her life, she enlisted in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps. The United States Cadet Nurse Corps was authorized by the U.S. Congress on June 15,1943 and signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The purpose of the law was to help alleviate the nursing shortage that existed before and during World War II.  Frances passed away at the age of 95, on January 6^th , 2023. We are forever grateful for her sacrifice.

(3)Clare Mary Scholand- She was born and raised in Reynolds, ND. She enlisted in the U.S Army Nurse Corps and was stationed at the Fitzsimmons General Hospital in Denver, CO. Clare passed away at the age of 100, on January 5^th, 2023.  We are forever grateful for her sacrifice.

QUESTION: What Resources are available for Women Veterans in Traill County?

ANSWER: The Center for Women Veterans’ (CWV) monitors and coordinates the VA’s administration of health care, benefits, services, and programs for Women Veterans. They serve as an advocate for and raise awareness of the responsibility to treat Women Veterans with dignity and respect.

• National Women Veterans Call Center at 1-855-829-6636.
• Women Veterans Program in Fargo at 701-239-3700 extension 3893 or 3503.
• VA Advocate 701-239-3700 extension 3738.

Question: How can we honor our Vietnam War Veterans this May?

Answer: On May 11-13, 2023, The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration will host “Welcome Home! A Nation Honors our Vietnam Veterans and their Families,” on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This national once-in-a-lifetime event will honor Vietnam veterans and their enduring legacy of service and inspire Americans to thank them and their families for their service and sacrifice.

Question: When was the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration authorized?

Answer: The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration was authorized by Congress, established under the secretary of defense, and launched by the president in 2012. By Presidential Proclamation, The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration continues through Veterans Day, November 11, 2025. The Commemoration honors all veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time from November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location as all were called to serve and none could self-determine where they were stationed.

Question: How many Veterans has the Vietnam War Commemoration publicly thanked?

Answer: Since 2012, more than 3.4million Vietnam veterans and their families have been publicly thanked by friends and neighbors during 24 thousand ceremonies hosted by our dedicated Commemorative Partners.

Question: What activities are happening at the May 2023 Vietnam War Commemoration?

Answer: Activities will include daily musical performances and programs, interactive experiences, historic and static Vietnam period helicopter displays, a veteran services hub and much more. Participating in this event are more than 70 groups including our premier military bands, honor guard units and drill teams, Gold Star families; POW/MIA organizations; veterans associations; government agencies; national, military and Smithsonian museums; high school bands; and Junior ROTC drill teams.

On Thursday, May 11^th  A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony will open Camp Legacy, located on the western end of the JFK Hockey Fields adjacent to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Camp Legacy will be open May 11-13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and encompasses a second location at West Potomac Park—situated across from Independence Avenue.

On Saturday, May 13 at 1 p.m., a multimedia celebration titled “Welcome Home” will be presented at West Potomac Park. This celebration will feature musical performances, dramatic storytelling, and videos all portraying the story of our Vietnam veterans and the enduring legacy of their service. It also will underscore the sacrifices of their families; and the contributions of our allies and citizen volunteers who supported American troops during the Vietnam War period.

Question: What can I do?

Answer: Join this national-scale event with a humble “Thank You” and “Welcome Home” by thanking a Vietnam Veteran on social media! 

• Use #WelcomeHome2023.
• Read about the 50^th Commemoration at  https://www.vietnamwar50th.com/
• Join the Nation … Thank a Vietnam Veteran!
• Recognizing our Veterans is important. Do you know a Veteran that should be recognized on the Veteran’s Wall in Hillsboro? If you have a name to add please call and email Rich Gehrke at: rich.gehrke@fumic.com 701-436-5777 OR mail the Traill County VSO Office at PO Box 785 Hillsboro, ND 58045