Nebraska State Senator Rita Sanders of Bellevue took to the floor of the legislature Wednesday morning to pay tribute to a fallen soldier from her hometown. Sanders became emotional as she paid tribute to Sgt. First Class Noah Tietgens, who was killed Sunday when an Iranian missile hit a military operations center in Kuwait.
“Today, Bellevue, Sarpy County and all the Nebraskans, we wrap our arms around the friends and family of Sgt. Tietjens. We honor his sacrifice, the greatest sacrifice one can make for our nation,” Sanders said through tears.
“Most important, we pray for healing for his family and those who carry on without him and we ask God to grant him everlasting peace.” Sanders then asked her colleagues to join her in a moment of silence to honor the selfless life and noble sacrifice of Sgt. Tietjens.
The Army reservist, and three other soldiers who were killed, were assigned the 103rd Sustainment Command out of Des Moines supporting Operation Epic Fury. Tietgens was a wheeled vehicle mechanic and deployed to Kuwait three times.