Ernst Hosts Wife of Late Iowa National Guardsman for the State of the Union

WASHINGTON - To honor the lives and legacies of the Iowa National Guardsmen who made the ultimate sacrifice and stand with Gold Star families, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is hosting Arianna Howard, the wife of fallen Staff Sgt. Nate Howard, as her guest for President Trump's State of the Union.

This is part of Senator Ernst's ongoing commitment to ensure Staff Sgt. Howard's legacy is never forgotten.

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"I am humbled to host Arianna Howard, who has sacrificed so much for our nation, at the State of the Union," said Senator Ernst. "After her husband, Iowa National Guardsman Nate Howard, and his fellow servicemember, Staff Sgt. Torres-Tovar, paid the ultimate price while serving our nation, our entire state has steadfastly stood with these heroes and their families. As a former member of the Iowa National Guard, it is my honor to support our military families, while bringing their stories and their loved ones' legacies to the highest levels. We must ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten."

"Nate was always a hero to me, and I hope he is remembered by those who loved him and even people he never met for his heroic service. After President Trump led the way in recognizing his sacrifice and standing up for our family's loss, attending the State of the Union address is a special honor," said Arianna Howard. "I'm thankful to Senator Ernst for this opportunity so we can make sure his story continues to be told and that his legacy is never forgotten."

Background:

As a combat veteran who served in the Iowa National Guard and the Global War on Terrorism, Ernst is deeply dedicated to honoring the lives of Staff Sgts. Torres-Tovar and Howard.

In December, Ernst escorted the bodies of the fallen back to the homeland and joined President Trump for the dignified transfer of remains as they were reunited with their families. Ernst also spoke about their legacies on the Senate floor and has worked to ensure their stories are never forgotten.

Recently, she led the Iowa delegation in an effort to rename two Iowa Veterans Affairs facilities in their honor.

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