News - Fallen Iowa Guardsmen Return to Homeland on Christmas Eve

In a somber homecoming on Christmas Eve, Des Moines residents and the families of two Iowa National Guard soldiers lamented a heart-wrenching farewell to Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar and William Nathanial Howard, who were killed during an ambush in Syria. Wrapped gently in American flags, their caskets were flown from Dover Air Force Base back to Iowa, escorted by fellow National Guard members. At the Des Moines International Airport, families grieved alongside Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, and senior officials of the Iowa National Guard. As the guardsmen were posthumously honored with promotions to staff sergeant, the presence of Des Moines citizens, standing in attention with American flags along the tribute route, underscored the gratitude of a grieving nation. Serving in the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, Torres-Tovar and Howard represented the valor and courage of hundreds of U.S. troops deployed in eastern Syria, engaged in the ongoing battle against the Islamic State group. The previous week, President Donald Trump had paid his respects at Dover, echoing a promise of intensifying military response, labeled by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as a 'declaration of vengeance'. During the ceremony, reflections on unity and resolve resonated as officials and citizens paid homage to the ultimate sacrifice by the two soldiers, along with U.S. civilian interpreter Ayad Mansoor Sakat, who was laid to rest in Michigan. A procession led by Des Moines Police Department and Iowa State Patrol caravanned the fallen soldiers to their respective funeral homes where commemorations will soon be observed. The event, a poignant mingling of mourning and honor, showcased the bravery and commitment intrinsic to those in service, fueling ongoing discourse on the complexities of military engagement overseas. Despite the profound loss, the gathered community was united in respectful admiration, recognizing the soldiers' valor as an enduring beacon of courage.