Iowans' tributes to fallen soldiers 'phenomenal,' Branstad says

Gov. Terry Branstad paid tribute Monday to the families and friends of three Iowa soldiers who have died recently in Afghanistan and the people of Iowa who have turned out in throngs to pay tribute to them.

Branstad said he has been impressed with the outpouring of support from Iowans in what is a “very sad situation” with the loss of three members of the Iowa National Guard.

The latest Iowa to die in Afghanistan was Staff Sgt. James A. Justice, 32, of Grimes, who was killed by enemy small arms fire on Saturday in the Kapisa province. Justice died while trying to rescue an Army helicopter crew that had made a hard landing, according to an Iowa National Guard spokesman. Also injured in the operation was 21-year-old Spc. Zachary Durham of Des Moines.

About 2,800 Iowa soldiers are currently deployed in Afghanistan. Justice was the third killed there in recent weeks, and several others were hurt.

Spc. Brent Maher, 31, of Honey Creek, died when the vehicle in which he was a gunner was hit by the bomb April 11 in Paktia province. Three other soldiers were wounded in the attack. All four soldiers were with the 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry based in Shenandoah.

A few days later, on April 13, Spc. Donald Nichols, 21, of Shell Rock, was killed and another Iowa soldier injured in a similar incident in Laghman province. Both were members of the 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry based in Wahoo.

Funerals for Maher and Nichols were held in Iowa during the past few days.

Branstad attended both memorial services and praised the thousands of people who lined the streets with flags and signs showing their support, respect and appreciation.

“I'm very proud of the people of Iowa and the way they're supporting the families and the people that have suffered these significant losses. That is a very moving thing,” Branstad told reporters at today's weekly news conference.

“These families and their friends have made huge sacrifices,” he added. “The turnout at these memorial services have been phenomenal.”