It’s been almost two weeks since the deaths of two homegrown heroes: Staff Sergeants Nate Howard and Edgar Torres-Tovar in the Iowa National Guard. But even though some time has passed, Kelsey Russell of Ankeny says the pain is just as visceral as the day she heard the news.”It was a very rough day,” she said.Her Husband, Steve Russell, is currently deployed in the Iowa National Guard, and he’s serving in the same task force Howard and Torres-Tovar did.”I can’t even imagine the families actually seeing the phone calls,” Russell said. “My heart goes out to them.”And she’s not alone in her grief — over a hundred Iowans gathered at Gray’s Lake Park Wednesday afternoon to watch the procession. Before it drove by, there was a lot of flag waving, horn honking, and saluting.But as the hearse passed, it was silent. The tribute didn’t go unnoticed by Army veteran Bernardo Guzman, who stood along the procession.”Since it’s Christmas Eve, people want to spend time with their family, take their days off from work,” he said. “To come out here when it’s cold to pay your respects to the soldiers, I think it’s a really great thing.”Even those in the Iowa Honor Guard — a group that’s overseen dozens of funerals and processions for first responders and those in the armed forces — say Wednesday’s tributes were touching. “We at home do remember them,” Roxanna Wolfe, Auxiliary President of VFW Post 738, said. “We at home do honor them. We at home know what they’re doing.”Every mourner is a testament to Iowa’s resilience and proof of “Iowa nice” in action. Coverage of soldiers’ return to IowaWatch: Bodies of Iowa National Guard soldiers returned to Des MoinesWatch: Remains of Staff Sgts. Nate Howard, Edgar Torres-Tovar return to Des MoinesBodies of slain Iowa soldiers loaded into hearses at Des Moines airportProcession begins for Iowa National Guard soldiers returned to Des MoinesProcession carries Staff Sgt. Nate Howard home to MarshalltownKCCI’s Marcus McIntosh shares experience from dignified transfer of fallen Iowa soldiersWatch: Procession begins for Iowa soldiers killed in SyriaWatch: Full coverage of the return of Staff Sgts. Nate Howard, Edgar Torres-Tovar
It’s been almost two weeks since the deaths of two homegrown heroes: Staff Sergeants Nate Howard and Edgar Torres-Tovar in the Iowa National Guard.
But even though some time has passed, Kelsey Russell of Ankeny says the pain is just as visceral as the day she heard the news.
“It was a very rough day,” she said.
Her Husband, Steve Russell, is currently deployed in the Iowa National Guard, and he’s serving in the same task force Howard and Torres-Tovar did.
“I can’t even imagine the families actually seeing the phone calls,” Russell said. “My heart goes out to them.”
And she’s not alone in her grief — over a hundred Iowans gathered at Gray’s Lake Park Wednesday afternoon to watch the procession. Before it drove by, there was a lot of flag waving, horn honking, and saluting.
But as the hearse passed, it was silent.
The tribute didn’t go unnoticed by Army veteran Bernardo Guzman, who stood along the procession.
“Since it’s Christmas Eve, people want to spend time with their family, take their days off from work,” he said. “To come out here when it’s cold to pay your respects to the soldiers, I think it’s a really great thing.”
Even those in the Iowa Honor Guard — a group that’s overseen dozens of funerals and processions for first responders and those in the armed forces — say Wednesday’s tributes were touching.
“We at home do remember them,” Roxanna Wolfe, Auxiliary President of VFW Post 738, said. “We at home do honor them. We at home know what they’re doing.”
Every mourner is a testament to Iowa’s resilience and proof of “Iowa nice” in action.
Coverage of soldiers’ return to Iowa
Watch: Bodies of Iowa National Guard soldiers returned to Des Moines
Watch: Remains of Staff Sgts. Nate Howard, Edgar Torres-Tovar return to Des Moines
Bodies of slain Iowa soldiers loaded into hearses at Des Moines airport
Procession begins for Iowa National Guard soldiers returned to Des Moines
Procession carries Staff Sgt. Nate Howard home to Marshalltown
KCCI’s Marcus McIntosh shares experience from dignified transfer of fallen Iowa soldiers
Watch: Procession begins for Iowa soldiers killed in Syria
Watch: Full coverage of the return of Staff Sgts. Nate Howard, Edgar Torres-Tovar