Ernst Visits Oskaloosa National Guard Armory

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst in Oskaloosa (file photo)

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Iowa Senator Joni Ernst was in Oskaloosa this past week, where she visited the recently renovated Iowa National Guard Armory, just north of town. She also held a press conference with the media afterwards to answer questions.

Ernst spoke about the 3654 Maintenance Company Detachment 1, and that it had been many years since she had been in that facility. She said that the renovation money came out of the federal military construction budget and Iowa funds, with a total of one million dollars being allocated to the project.

“The rehab was pretty amazing,” said Ernst. “It was great to take that tour and then sit down with some of the leadership from the Army National Guard, and some of the soldiers that actually work out of that armory.”

Oskaloosa Iowa Army National Guard Armory

Ernst said she spoke with those individuals about the impact the renovation of the facility has had on the unit.

“It was a little bittersweet honestly,” said Ernst of visiting the facility she had been to while serving in the Iowa National Guard. “There I was, with the soldiers I had worked with previously. They’re in uniform. They’re really proud of their armory. I’m really proud of them.”

“It’s hard to go back in slacks and a jacket while they’re all ready to go to work in their uniforms,” added Ernst. “I can tell you that the local community needs to be very proud of these soliders and everything that they have achieved. They are of course, Iowa’s finest.”