Rep. Zach Nunn (R., Iowa) brought in America’s top military brass to honor Iowa veterans and their families at his third annual Operation Top Nunn: Salute to the Troops event.
Nunn spent part of the legendary Iowa State Fair at JR’s SouthPork Ranch with Gold Star and Blue Star families; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth joined for the honors.
During the event, Nunn and Folds of Honor Iowa jointly presented a college scholarship to the daughter of a U.S. Army specialist, and Helping a Hero announced that it will help build and refurbish a specially adapted home for an Army combat engineer who lost both legs in Afghanistan.
For Nunn, events like this are deeply personal. “As a 20-year combat veteran, I know the cost of service is paid by the families holding down the homefront, and by veterans long after the uniform comes off,” Nunn explained. “Today, we brought veterans, Blue Star families, and Gold Star families together to honor our obligation to them — and to every man and woman still standing the post. I’m grateful to Salute to the Fallen, Folds of Honor, and Helping a Hero for the scholarship, the home, and the work they do for Iowa’s veterans all year long, and to Pete Hegseth for joining us to salute the troops.”
Every year, Nunn hosts Operation Top Nunn, which is a joint fundraiser for his campaign and for Iowa veterans and their families; during the honors, Nunn lets the organizations directly involved with helping veterans take center stage.
Those organizations explained following the event why Nunn’s advocacy remains critical for Iowa’s veteran population. “Folds of Honor was built on the promise to meet sacrifice with hope,” Gus Doll of Folds of Honor Iowa, said. “When the worst day comes for a military family, we’re there, and we stay there, so their kids still get every shot at the future their mom or dad fought for. Zach Nunn understands how important that is because he has fought for this country and continues to serve today, both in uniform and in Congress. Our thanks to him, and to every Iowan who showed up today.”
Helping a Hero’s Wounded Hero Home Program’s founder, Meredith Iler, added that “building homes for wounded veterans is…how we help Iowa say thank you in a tangible way, and today’s thank you was no different. Zach Nunn served, and he has never stopped fighting for Iowa’s veterans and military families. Our gratitude goes to him, and to every lowan who showed up today to stand behind a wounded hero and his family.”
John Thompson, the co-founder of Salute to the Fallen, added that his organization’s “mission is not complicated. When a family loses somebody, we show up. When a veteran is at the worst point in his life, we show up.”
“Zach Nunn understands what it takes to fight for lowans who served, because he served himself,” Thompson added. “And every lowan who joined us today to salute our veterans and their families told them they are not carrying their sacrifice alone.”
