President Donald Trump is traveling to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Wednesday for a dignified transfer that honors two Iowa National Guard members killed in an attack in the Syrian desert. The ceremony will also include a U.S. civilian interpreter who was killed in the same strike.

Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, were members of the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, according to the Army. Ayad Mansoor Sakat, of Macomb, Michigan, was the interpreter who lost his life, marking another tragedy tied to the volatile region.

The ritual at Dover is more than a routine military procedure. It is a solemn obligation that reminds the nation that service members give their lives in defense of freedom.

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The ceremony’s gravity resonates across communities in Iowa and beyond, and it reflects a national resolve to honor every sacrifice. This is a moment when leadership matters, and it calls on the nation to stand with families who have endured the hardest loss.

Trump, a Republican, said during his first term that witnessing the dignified transfer of service members’ remains is “the toughest thing I have to do” as president.

The transfer cases draped with the American flag are carried from the aircraft to a waiting vehicle, and then to the mortuary facility where preparation for burial begins. The procedure at Dover is a stark reminder that duty often comes with a heavy price paid in lives.

The Iowa National Guard is remembering the fallen as heroes. “They were dedicated professionals and cherished members of our Guard family who represented the best of Iowa,” Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn, adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard, said.

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The families and communities back home shared in the sorrow, yet they also celebrated the strength of the Guard’s bond and the courage of those who served.

Howard’s stepfather, Jeffrey Bunn, spoke with emotion about the man he knew. Howard “loved what he was doing and would be the first in and last out,” noting that he had wanted to be a soldier since he was a young boy.

In a post on the Meskwaki Nation Police Department’s Facebook page, Bunn called Howard a loving husband and an “amazing man of faith” and said Howard’s brother, a staff sergeant in the Iowa National Guard, would escort “Nate” back to Iowa.

The family’s words underscored how deeply these losses affect communities and how the Guard’s bonds extend beyond duty to the everyday lives of those connected to these brave men.

Torres-Tovar was remembered as a “very positive” person who was family oriented and someone who always put others first, according to fellow Guardsmen who were deployed with him. The reflections from those who served with him illustrate the character that defined these young soldiers and the commitment they demonstrated on every mission.

The broader context of the attack involves ongoing U.S. operations in eastern Syria as part of a coalition fighting ISIS. Trump told reporters that the United States remains focused on defeating ISIS, and his administration has sought a clear and resolute path forward in the region.

On a separate note, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that the matter at hand “had nothing to do with him” and “This had to do with ISIS,” emphasizing that the loss of life was a direct consequence of the fight against the terror network, not a reflection of broader regional politics.

Three other members of the Iowa National Guard were injured in the attack. As of Monday, two were in stable condition and the other in good condition. The Pentagon has not identified them. The ongoing updates remind the nation that danger remains and that the duty of securing freedom carries real costs.

The sacrifice is not lost on those who see the world as a fight for national security and American leadership. President Trump has shown a willingness to engage with strategic partners, and his commitment is reinforced by the administration’s approach under Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who argues for a decisive, principled defense posture. These leaders believe strong action protects civilians and preserves the safety of the country.

From Dover, the message is clear: America will honor its fallen while pressing forward with strength. The visit reaffirms a policy that prioritizes the troops and protects national interests.

It also signals that the United States will stand with its friends and allies in the face of threats, and that the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice will endure.

The president’s visit, and the rhetoric surrounding it, seeks to balance mourning with resolve, demonstrating that courage and leadership remain at the core of America’s military ethic.

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