Jim Nussle: “Iowans should be proud of the tremendous accomplishments of our dedicated troops over the last couple of years…”

“Iowans should be proud of the tremendous accomplishments of our dedicated troops over the last couple of years, particularly those serving with Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. These men and women have risked their lives and made sacrifices to keep their country safe and secure. We should thank each and every one of them, and welcome them home with honor. Our thanks must also extend to the loved ones of those who serve. Family members do their best to carry on with their lives while they wait, worry, and sometimes watch, what their son, daughter, wife, husband, father or mother is facing on the other side of the world. Some families have been changed forever by tragic loss. Steve and Marilyn Korthaus of Davenport, Iowa will always miss their son Bradley, a Marine sergeant who died bravely in Iraq in March. They will also be forever proud of him. May they find comfort in knowing he died with honor, and may all of us join them in appreciating the sacrifice he made in the name of freedom. While our men and women in uniform have accomplished so much in Iraq and in the overall war on terror, important work remains.”