• About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Friday, May 9, 2025
The Iowa Torch
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
The Iowa Torch
The Iowa Torch
No Result
View All Result
Home Federal Government

Ernst: “There is no vacation from protecting our nation.”

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst: "This month we honor and appreciate all the sacrifices our military families make to support loved ones who are serving our nation in uniform."

Iowa TorchbyIowa Torch
November 19, 2020
in Federal Government
Reading Time: 3 mins read

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, a combat veteran who served in the armed forces for over 23 years, honored the sacrifices made by our nation’s service members, veterans, and military families ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Ernst highlighted the unique challenges faced by troops and their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic, inviting Iowans and all Americans to join her in recognizing their selfless sacrifices.

RELATED POSTS

EPA issues emergency fuel waiver for E15 sales

Grassley says feds are ‘dragging feet’ on bolstering cybersecurity defense

Sarah’s Law passes House Judiciary Committee

Watch the video above. The full transcript of her remarks are below:

ADVERTISEMENT

“Thanksgiving dinner has become the single most celebrated meal of the year, with tens of millions of Americans gathering with family and friends to give thanks for their blessings and of course, for one another.

“And folks, I know that this year, it’s a lot different.

“While we still have so much to be thankful for, the COVID-19 pandemic means folks will be traveling less and might not be celebrating in larger groups.

“And as a result, many will be separated from their loved ones on this very special day.

“But folks, this is a very familiar feeling for anyone who has ever served in our nation’s Armed Forces.

“There is no vacation from protecting our nation.

“At any given moment, thousands of men and women – moms and dads, brothers and sisters– are stationed around the world standing vigilant in the defense of freedom.

“Those wearing the uniform aren’t the only ones making a sacrifice either.

“Back home, there is an empty seat at the family table.

“There are kids missing their mom or dad – as my daughter missed me while I was deployed.

“Parents are missing a child.

“And husbands and wives are missing a spouse.

“Due to COVID, many who are stationed in the U.S. can’t even travel home to be with their families.

“My own daughter will not be able to travel over Thanksgiving.

“Restrictions have been put in place prohibiting non-essential travel to or from many military installations, including Camp Dodge in my home state of Iowa.

“But, every day, not just Thanksgiving, can be a sacrifice when serving in the Armed Forces.

“Those who enlist are well aware of this, yet it is no deterrent.

“As a combat veteran with over 23 years of service between the Army Reserves and Iowa Army National Guard, I understand what many families are going through. And I have a deep sense of gratitude for the sacrifice our men and women in uniform make for the good of their neighbors.

“Just last year, I visited our Iowa troops for Thanksgiving in Afghanistan. It was good to see them, and I know how much they were missing their families. They also want to make sure that the people back home remember them – remember that they are far from home, remember that they are working hard to protect our freedoms.

“Our courageous servicemembers know the real cost of freedom.

“They have seen and felt it firsthand.

“Many of them live with that price the rest of their lives.

“Far too many who survive combat continue fighting an internal battle when they return home.

“That is why I have made it a top priority to work across the aisle to combat suicide and mental health struggles among veterans.

“My most recent effort would designate a ‘Buddy Check Week’ to educate veterans on how to conduct peer wellness checks. It’s a really simple measure that could go a long way to support the health and safety of those who have bravely served our nation.

“During this Thanksgiving season, we also must continue to show our gratitude for those who are putting their own health and lives at risk by serving on the frontlines in our fight against COVID-19.

“Throughout this pandemic, there have been over 850 Iowa National Guardsmen working to deliver personal protective equipment, food, and medical supplies all across the state of Iowa.

“And having served in the Iowa Army National Guard for many many years, I could not be more proud of their tireless and selfless efforts.

“That’s why I have introduced legislation to provide tax-free hazardous duty pay for our National Guardsmen and women to recognize the work they’re doing during this pandemic and provide them the pay they deserve.

“I know I speak on behalf of all Iowans when I say I am truly thankful for all of those who have ever served our nation in uniform, and also to their families.

“This month we honor and appreciate all the sacrifices our military families make to support loved ones who are serving our nation in uniform.

“While this Thanksgiving might look a little different, let’s not forget to be grateful for the freedoms and the blessings we have in this truly great country. May God bless all Iowans – including those serving overseas and those caring for strangers during this pandemic. I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve you.”

Tags: Joni ErnstThanksgivingU.S. SenateVeterans
ShareTweetShare
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Reduce Your Tax Bill and Help Students: Donate to School Tuition Organizations

Next Post

Reynolds Launches ‘Step Up and Stop the Spread’ Campaign

Iowa Torch

Iowa Torch

The Iowa Torch​ is a for-profit, news organization that focuses on political news as it relates to Iowans.

Related Posts

Opinion

Grassley: History informs farm policies of today

May 1, 2024
Hinson: Use biofuels to bring down the cost of gas today
Federal Government

EPA issues emergency fuel waiver for E15 sales

April 19, 2024
Reynolds says she will sign biofuels bill
Opinion

Ernst: Give homegrown Iowa biofuels the green light

April 10, 2024
Opinion

Ernst: Putting more farm in the Farm Bill

March 29, 2024
the united states capitol building in washington
Federal Government

Sarah’s Law passes House Judiciary Committee

March 29, 2024
Ernst Expresses Concern About Trump’s Upcoming Senate Impeachment Trial
Federal Government

Ernst leads bipartisan push to end taxpayer dollar abuse at USAID

March 23, 2024
Next Post
Reynolds Launches ‘Step Up and Stop the Spread’ Campaign

Reynolds Launches 'Step Up and Stop the Spread' Campaign

Ernst: Military Families Are Heroes

Ernst: Military Families Are Heroes

Recommended Articles

Cedar Rapids Modifies Mask Mandate

Cedar Rapids Modifies Mask Mandate

May 17, 2021
Reynolds Signs Broadband Grant Funding Bill Into Law

Reynolds Signs Broadband Grant Funding Bill Into Law

May 25, 2021
Bill Requiring Full-Time In-Person Learning Option Advances in Iowa Senate

Bill Requiring Full-Time In-Person Learning Option Advances in Iowa Senate

January 25, 2021

Popular Stories

  • Three LGTBQ Books with Sexually Explicit Material Pulled from Waukee School

    Three LGTBQ Books with Sexually Explicit Material Pulled from Waukee School

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Rozenboom: Reflecting on the First Week of the 2021 Legislative Session

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Iowa Dept. of Health & Human Services fill two leadership roles

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Reynolds Appoints Joshua Schier as District Court Judge

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Biden promotes E-15 expansion while visiting Iowa

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
The Iowa Torch

The Iowa Torch​ is a for-profit, news organization that focuses on political news as it relates to Iowans

Categories

  • Current Events
  • Education
  • Federal Government
  • Iowa History
  • Local Government
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • State Government

Newsletter

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.