The remains of two fallen Iowa National Guard Soldiers, Staff Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines and Staff Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of will arrive at the Des Moines International Airport on Wednesday, Dec. 24, at
1:00 p.m. In recognition of their service and sacrifice, both Soldiers were posthumously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Upon arrival, the Iowa National Guard Honor Guard will conduct an honorable transfer of remains to ceremoniously receive them from the aircraft. Throughout their journey home, the Soldiers have been and will continue to be escorted by fellow Iowa National Guard members.
Please be advised that this is a private, solemn event for the families and is NOT open to the public. At the gracious request of the families, a limited number of media outlets will be permitted to document the transfer. The family’s willingness to allow media presence is the sole
reason for this advisory.
Due to strict security requirements, access will only be granted to media personnel who RSVP’d by the deadline on Friday, Dec. 19 at 5:00 p.m. No additional media access requests can be accommodated.
This event will take place at the 132d Wing, Air National Guard Base. Access will be strictly controlled. Only media members who met the RSVP deadline will be granted access at the gate. Media who did not coordinate in advance will not be granted entry.
Please be advised, media outlets are not authorized to follow the procession or go to the funeral homes after the honorable transfer.
We ask you to continue to be respectful of the families of the fallen. We appreciate your cooperation and respect for the families and the solemnity of this occasion.
