A Father’s Heartbreak: Iowa National Guard Soldier’s Sacrifice in Syria
The quiet community of Marshalltown, Iowa, was shaken to its core this weekend when news arrived that two Iowa Army National Guard members had been killed in a terrorist attack in Syria. Among them was Nate Howard, son of Meskwaki Nation Police Chief Jeffrey Bunn, who paid the ultimate price while serving his country. On Saturday, a lone Islamic State gunman ambushed a group of Iowa Army National Guard soldiers in Palmyra, Syria, killing two American soldiers and a U.S. civilian interpreter, while wounding three other U.S. soldiers. The tragedy has sent ripples of grief through the tight-knit Iowa communities, where service members and their families are respected and cherished members of society.
In a heart-wrenching Facebook post, Chief Bunn shared his devastating loss: “Today two of our Iowa Army National Guard Soldiers were killed in action along with a Civilian Interpreter in Syria. My wife Misty and I had that visit from Army Commanders you never want to have. Our son Nate was one of the Soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us, to keep us all safer.” His words capture the profound grief of a parent who has lost a child, but also the pride in his son’s dedication and courage. “He loved what he was doing and would be the first in and last out, no one left behind,” Chief Bunn continued, revealing the character of a young man committed to his fellow soldiers and his mission. The father concluded his message with a poignant farewell: “We will see you again son, until then we have it from here.”
Nate Howard’s service record speaks volumes about his dedication to his country and his fellow Americans. According to the National Guard’s B Troop, 1-113th Cavalry, Howard had served in the Iowa Army National Guard for over 11 years and aspired to complete a full 20 years of military service. His decision to join the armed forces was inspired by his grandfather’s service, making him the first person from his father’s side of the family to don the uniform. When not serving his country, Howard worked at Fisher Controls, a Marshalltown-based industrial equipment manufacturer, as a laser engraving specialist. His colleagues and friends knew him as someone who enjoyed shooting, woodworking, and gaming—simple pleasures that humanize the soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice far from home.
The community’s response to Howard’s death has been swift and heartfelt, demonstrating how deeply military losses impact small communities. Tama County Sheriff Casey Schmidt offered her condolences in a moving Facebook post, referring to Howard as “a son who did not come home.” Schmidt, who has known Chief Bunn for many years, expressed her profound sympathy: “I am thankful for his friendship, and my heart is broken for Jeff, Misty, and their family. Losing a child is something no parent should ever have to face.” Her statement emphasizes that these losses aren’t just headlines but represent real families, coworkers, and communities left to carry an unbearable burden. The State Center Police Department and the nonprofit Salute to the Fallen Foundation also shared their thoughts and prayers for Howard’s friends and family, further illustrating how military losses reverberate through multiple layers of community connections.
Sheriff Schmidt’s statement also addressed the broader context of Howard’s sacrifice, noting that “ISIS is evil. That is not political. That is reality.” Her words cut through potential political divides to focus on the human cost of continued conflict against terrorist organizations. “Our service members are still standing in harm’s way because that evil still exists,” she continued, highlighting the ongoing dangers faced by American troops abroad. Schmidt also acknowledged a sentiment shared by many: “I am deeply thankful for the men and women of our armed forces, and I believe we do not do enough for them. They accept risks most people never have to think about.” This recognition of the gap between civilian life and military service underscores the exceptional nature of the commitment made by individuals like Nate Howard.
The loss of Nate Howard and his fellow Iowa National Guard member brings into sharp focus the continued sacrifice of American service members in conflicts that often fade from public consciousness. While political debates may rage about American involvement abroad, the human cost is borne by families like the Bunns who receive that dreaded visit from Army commanders. Howard’s story—his decade-plus of service, his civilian career, his hobbies, and the family and community who loved him—reminds us that each military casualty represents a full human life with connections, aspirations, and a future that will now never be realized. As his father said in his farewell, the family will “have it from here,” but they do so carrying a burden of grief that few can truly comprehend, united with other military families who understand that freedom and security sometimes come at the highest possible price.
