Photos at GFK

THE BYRON L. DORGAN TERMINAL RIBBON CUTTING AND DEDICATION
August 10, 2011

New Terminal Aug 1

Photo taken 4 weeks before opening day.

The flag ceremony was very moving. The United States Air Force raised the United States Flag while Amada Rudy sang The Star Spangled Banner. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police raised the Canadian flag while Evan Montgomery sang O Canada! The ND Army National Guard raised the North Dakota flag while Dorothea Nelson and Neil Neiman played America on the bagpipes and drums. Pitcured below: Montgomery, Rudy, Nieman and Nelson.

Singers and Pipes and Drums

Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority Executive Director Patrick Dame emceed the ribbon cutting ceremony and the dedication dinner, introducing Senator John Hoeven and Governor Jack Dalrymple as well as Mayor Michael Brown, who spoke at the ribbon cutting. Senators Kent Conrad, Byron Dorgan (ret.) and Congressman Rick Berg spoke at the dinner.

Patrick Dame, Senator Hoeven, Congressman Berg, Senator Conrad, Senator Dorgan and Governor Dalrymple while Mayor Brown spoke.

Senator Conrad and Senator Dorgan have a close friendship that goes way back.

Senator John Hoeven

The Byron L. Dorgan Terminal Ribbon Cutting - August 10, 2011.

Left to Right: Airport Authority Board Chairman Steve Kuhlman, Senator John Hoeven, Senator Kent Conrad, Senator Byron Dorgan (ret), Governor Jack Dalrymple, Grand Forks Mayor Mike Brown, Congressman Rick Berg, and Airport Authority Executive Director Patrick Dame.

The August 10th ribbon cutting was followed by tours, a social hour and a dinner.

Jazz on Tap provided music during the Social Hour.

280 guests attended the dedication dinner, which was held in the "secure waiting area" of the new terminal - 3 weeks before opening day.

Steve Kuhlman, Airport Authority Chairman

Also honored at the dinner were Ron and Shirley Elder (left, with Patrick Dame), retiring after 36 years of running the airport restaurant, Crosswinds.