Port: We owe them more than applause

MINOT — We've become better at celebrating our veterans than actually taking care of them. Today is Veterans Day, an occasion for Americans to express our gratitude to the men and women who have served our country in uniform. There will be ceremonies, speeches, parades and solemn expressions of appreciation. Veterans will be thanked at public events and recognized on social media. Politicians will issue statements praising their courage and sacrifice. These are good things. The gratitude is deserved, and remembering the sacrifices made in service to our country is important. Back in August, I wrote about the financial debacle surrounding North Dakota's military museum project, a nearly $80 million expansion of the Heritage Center on the state Capitol grounds in Bismarck. The project had stalled because private fundraising wasn't keeping pace with construction costs. Lawmakers were frustrated, but they were also reluctant to be seen opposing something associated with