Joni Ernst: “this past weekend marked the 389th birthday of the National Guard. The Guard was on the front lines in our fight for…”

“this past weekend marked the 389th birthday of the National Guard. The Guard was on the front lines in our fight for freedom even before the birth of our Nation and played a critical role in securing our independence. Today, the men and women who put on the uniform continue to live out that legacy by serving our communities, responding to disasters and emergencies, and protecting our Nation's defense in overseas combat, security, and reconstruction missions. The members of the National Guard are hard-working folks who live and work in our communities and made a commitment to our country to be ready whenever and wherever duty calls. As a proud veteran of the Iowa Army National Guard, I raised my right hand and also took the oath to serve, and that service was shaped by the folks in uniform who were standing shoulder to shoulder with me. From those who served alongside of me to those who came before me and after me, we all promised to be 'Always Ready, Always There.' But instead of celebrating that legacy last Saturday, our Nation was rocked with the news that we had lost some of our own. And nowhere felt this tragic loss more than Iowa, as we learned two brave Iowan National Guardsmen gave their lives in service to our country.”