Submitted Photo Dr. Monica Mayer, right, who represents the North Segment (New Town) on the Tribal Business Council of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, and is a U.S. Army veteran, presents a star quilt to Gov. Kelly Armstrong, left, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Military Gallery at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck on Thursday. Photo from Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s office.

BISMARCK – A groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday, marking the start of construction on a new Military Gallery at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck, a fitting tribute to the state’s servicemembers and veterans, according to information from Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s office.

“We’re committed to making North Dakota the most military-friendly state in the country, and this gallery marks another significant step toward that goal. It’s about honoring our rich military history and the citizens of our state who have served in every military branch,” Armstrong said. “Our freedom endures only because of their service. And that service is worthy of recognition every day with a world-class Military Gallery that honors and memorializes the men and women who have given everything for this nation and our liberty.”

Armstrong proposed funding for the Military Gallery in his executive budget proposal and on Thursday expressed his thanks to the 2025 Legislature for supporting the project with $15 million from the state’s Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund, a $20 million line of credit from the state-owned Bank of North Dakota, and $4.2 million to repay a line of credit from the Bank in the 2023-25 biennium – all to be matched by nearly $39 million in private-sector contributions.

The State Historical Society of North Dakota is partnering on the project with the North Dakota National Guard and their respective foundations.