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Families of Iowa Guard soldiers killed in Syria will be State of the Union guests of Iowa Congressional members
Various family members of Staff Sgts. Edgar Torres-Tovar and William Nathaniel Howard, who were killed in a Dec. 13 attack, will be guests of Iowa U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst and U.S. Reps. Ashley Hinson and Zach Nunn
Feb. 23, 2026 11:16 am, Updated: Feb. 23, 2026 1:14 pm
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DES MOINES — Family members of two Iowa National Guard soldiers killed in action in Syria in December will be guests of Iowa’s congressional delegation for President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday.
Staff Sgts. Edgar Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, were killed in action Dec. 13 during a counterterrorism mission near Palmyra, Syria, when a lone gunman believed to be affiliated with the Islamic State opened fire on U.S. and partner forces.
Multiple family members of Torres-Tovar and Howard will be guests of Iowa’s Congressional delegation during Tuesday’s address. According to the delegation’s offices:
- Arianna Howard, the widow of Staff Sgt. Howard, will be the guest of U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst;
- Misty and Jeffrey Bunn, the mother and stepfather of Staff Sgt. Howard, will be hosted by U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson;
- and Hugo Torres and Isabel Tovar, the parents of Staff Sgt. Torres-Tovar, will be the guests of U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn.
Trump is scheduled to address Congress at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
“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,” Arianna Howard said in a statement provided by Ernst’s office. “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. I’m thankful to Sen. Ernst for this opportunity so we can make sure his story continues to be told and that his legacy is never forgotten.”
Ernst is a former officer in the Iowa National Guard.
“I am humbled to host Arianna Howard, who has sacrificed so much for our nation, at the State of the Union,” Ernst said in a statement from her office. “After her husband, Iowa National Guardsman Nate Howard, and his fellow service member, 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.”
Torres-Tovar and Howard were members of the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, and were deployed as part of the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group in Syria.
A U.S. civilian interpreter also was killed in the Dec. 13 attack, and three other Iowa National Guard members were wounded.
“Misty and Chief Jeff Bunn have sacrificed more than most of us can ever imagine, and it’s truly an honor to have them as my guests at the State of the Union,” Hinson said in a statement to The Gazette. “When a family in our community is hurting, Iowa shows up. (Tuesday) is about honoring their son, Staff Sgt. Howard, and standing with his family — and with all military families who carry the cost of our freedoms every day.”
Nunn is an officer in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
“When I stood with Edgar’s family at Dover, I saw both unimaginable grief and incredible strength. Our nation owes its Gold Star families a debt we can never repay. Iowa doesn’t forget its heroes,” Nunn said in a statement to The Gazette. “It’s my honor to host Hugo Torres and Isabel Tovar at the State of the Union as we remember their son’s service and renew our promise that his sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
Howard and Torres-Tovar have been honored in myriad ways by the delegation and in Iowa.
The Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in Des Moines will be named in honor of Torres-Tovar and the community-based outpatient clinic in Marshalltown will be named in honor of Howard under legislation introduced by Ernst and backed by the delegation. And the delegation honored Howard and Torres-Tovar with Congressional resolutions.
Family members of the two soldiers also were guests for Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ annual condition of the state address to the Iowa Legislature on Jan. 12. And the soldiers were remembered during the annual condition of the Guard address two days later by Iowa National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn.
Comments: (515) 355-1300, erin.murphy@thegazette.com
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