They paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Two National Guard soldiers from Iowa, Staff Sergeant Edgar Torres-Tovar and Staff Sergeant William Howard, who were killed in an ISIS terror attack in Syria in December, are being remembered by Iowa’s entire Republican Congressional delegation with a piece of new legislation in their honor.
“They represent the best of us,” said Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) in a statement obtained by Military.com. “We’re forever indebted to them for their dedication in service to Iowa in protecting our country.”
Senator Grassley, along with Senator Joni Ernst, representatives Ashley Hinson, Zach Nunn, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Randy Feenstra, are all supporting the Iowa National Guard Heroes Commemoration Act. It calls for renaming two Veterans Administration facilities after Torres-Tovar and Howard.
“Each of these facilities is located in their respective hometown. That would be Des Moines and Marshalltown,” said Grassley in a video statement posted online and sent to Military.com. “Our legislation ensures their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
The Des Moines VA Medical Center, as it’s currently known, offers specialty health services, including cancer care, diabetes care, mental health care, treatment for spinal cord injuries and disorders, suicide prevention, and other medical and health needs for veterans. The Marshalltown outpatient clinic offers primary care and specialty health services, including treatment for military sexual trauma, podiatry, optometry and other needs for veterans.
Under the legislation, the Marshalltown facility will become the ‘‘Staff Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard VA Clinic,” and the Des Moines facility will become the “Staff Sergeant Edgar Torres-Tovar VA Clinic.”
“I’m honored to lead this effort and tell the stories of their service by designating places in their hometowns that will serve generations of Iowa veterans,” said Senator Ernst in her statement obtained by Military.com. Ernst, a combat veteran herself, has a personal connection to the Guardsmen, having escorted their bodies back to the U.S. in a dignified transfer. “The legacy of Iowa’s heroes will continue to live on.”
Other members of the Iowa delegation released statements to Military.com in support of the act.
“This is a tribute to not just their service, but their families who stood beside them,” said Congresswoman Ashley Hinson in her statement. “Every veteran who receives care here will do so in a place that honors their sacrifices for generations to come.”
Congressman Zach Nunn’s statement calls the soldiers heroes. “They wore the uniform with honor, stood for something bigger than themselves, and represented the very best of the Iowa National Guard,” he said. “Renaming these VA facilities in their honor will ensure their legacy endures as a permanent tribute to two Guardsmen who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
For Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, the legislation is both personal and professional.
“As a 24-year Army veteran, I’m honored to join the Iowa Delegation in paying tribute to Staff Sgt. Nathaniel ‘Nate’ Howard and Staff Sgt. Edgar Torres-Tovar,” she said. “Renaming these VA facilities in their honor ensures their legacy lives on, a lasting reminder of their courage, commitment, and the deep gratitude of a nation they served with distinction.”
Statements from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, local mayors and other community officials were also released, expressing support for the facility renaming and gratitude to the fallen soldiers for sacrificing their lives for our country.
