Biography:
Ray Harkema entered the United States Army in 1961 after graduating high school. He left the service in 1984 after tours in Europe, Vietnam, and stateside assignments. In Vietnam, Harkema served as a medic with the 9th Infantry Division with a base camp at Bearcat, Mekong Delta area from 1967-68. Harkema graduated from Hyatt University in 1977 with a degree in Business Administration. After leaving the service, Harkema worked for North Dakota Job Service in Fargo. Then in December 1985 he began working with the North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs as chief of claims until he was appointed as commissioner in 1994. Harkema joined the Vietnam Veterans of America in 1987 and is a member of Chapter 374 besides serving as a member of the State Council. Mr. Harkema was Commissioner of the NDDVA from 1994 to 2004. NDVA History