Pete Hegseth joins as special guest as Nunn honors Iowa’s Gold Star and Blue Star families
Des Moines, IA – Combat aviator and U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) today hosted the third annual Operation Top Nunn: Salute to the Troops at JR’s SouthPork Ranch on the Iowa State Fairgrounds with special guest Pete Hegseth. Gold Star and Blue Star families were honored throughout the program, including Iowa families who lost a loved one in the past year.
At the event, Nunn helped Folds of Honor Iowa present a college scholarship to the daughter of a U.S. Army specialist, and Helping a Hero will help build and refurbish a specially adapted home for an Army combat engineer who lost both legs in Afghanistan.
“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,” said Rep. Zach Nunn. “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.”
“Our 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,” said John Thompson, co-founder of Salute to the Fallen. “Zach Nunn understands what it takes to fight for lowans who served, because he served himself. And every Iowan who joined us today to salute our veterans and their families told them they are not carrying their sacrifice alone.”
Learn more about Salute to the Fallen here.
“Folds of Honor was built on the promise to meet sacrifice with hope,” said Gus Doll of Folds of Honor Iowa. “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.”
Learn more about Folds of Honor here.
“Building homes for wounded veterans is what we do,” said Meredith Iler, founder and chair of Helping a Hero’s Wounded Hero Home Program. “It’s 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 Iowan who showed up today to stand behind a wounded hero and his family.”
Learn more about Helping a Hero here.
Operation Top Nunn is an annual fundraising event for Team Nunn, and a portion of proceeds goes toward helping Iowa’s veterans and their families. It is also where Nunn turns the stage over to the critical organizations that carry this work all year, and puts them front and center for the Iowans who need them.
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