250 Iowa National Guard Members Have Made It Home From Deployment

Last week, we reported that 250 Iowa National Guard members were deployed in the Middle East would be returning home. Yesterday, they did.

In a statement from the Iowa National Guard, the members were deployed to help with "security and stability throughout the region," and reduce the capabilities of ISIS. The returning soldiers are from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team and the 34th Infantry Division.

Yesterday, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds welcomed home two groups of soldiers when they got to Des Moines.

In Sioux City, a welcome home party was organized to welcome them home.

“Today we honor your service, celebrate the successful completion of your mission, and give thanks to god for your safe return,” Gov. Reynolds said. “We also today honor the memories of your two brothers in arms, Staff Sergeants Nate Howard and Edgar Torres-Tovar, whose legacies now live on in you,” she said.

In December, two Iowa National Guard soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed when an ISIS gunman opened fire on them. Their names were Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, and they were brought home and laid to rest in the respective communities

Iowa U.S. Senator Joni Ernst has proposed a bill to rename the VA clinics in South Des Moines and Marshalltown after them.

Read more at KCRG