After retiring from the United States Air Force as well as two other professions, I am now living in a small town (Brackettville, TX) about 30 miles from Del Rio, TX. For the last six years I have worked as a substitute teacher at the local high school. I was teaching a Government class to seniors when one of them asked if I ever knew any American heroes. I thought for a moment - and said yes I do. I looked up our Newark high school website and called up Doug Varner's In Memory profile. I then read Doug's letter to my students - the letter that he wanted to be read at his funeral. God Bless Doug Alan Varner (a true American hero) and all of our 1966 classmates.
Doug's letter rings so appropriate for today's division and strife. Rage replacing reason, obsession obscuring issue, politics diminishing person. Where have all the flowers gone?
So true Patrick. I was just thinking about that. Just heard on the news about all these election officials and their families receiving horrible threats. Most of them are volunteers generously donating their time too. I can't imagine the mind that would threaten children.
Doug was a great frend, classmate and leader who died a hero. only wish to get the city of Newark, and the Viet Nam veterans to plant a tree in his honor in the Viet Nam veterans tree park where he justly belongs.
As a Viet Nam Veteran I visited Washington D. C. on the Honor Flight on Oct. 21th. I did not Doug Varner very well but while at the Viet Nam Wall I found his name.I rubbed his name on a piece of paper with a pencil. The Wall was very hard to look at with over 58,000 names. I was one of the lucky ones who made it back. Thank You Doug for your Service and Sacrifice. Todd Martin Class of 1966.
Stephen Foxx
11/1/21
After retiring from the United States Air Force as well as two other professions, I am now living in a small town (Brackettville, TX) about 30 miles from Del Rio, TX. For the last six years I have worked as a substitute teacher at the local high school. I was teaching a Government class to seniors when one of them asked if I ever knew any American heroes. I thought for a moment - and said yes I do. I looked up our Newark high school website and called up Doug Varner's In Memory profile. I then read Doug's letter to my students - the letter that he wanted to be read at his funeral. God Bless Doug Alan Varner (a true American hero) and all of our 1966 classmates.
John Green
Steven,
Great story. Thank you for sharing.
John Green
Patrick Snyder
Doug's letter rings so appropriate for today's division and strife. Rage replacing reason, obsession obscuring issue, politics diminishing person. Where have all the flowers gone?Sally Morrow (Carroll)
So true Patrick. I was just thinking about that. Just heard on the news about all these election officials and their families receiving horrible threats. Most of them are volunteers generously donating their time too. I can't imagine the mind that would threaten children.
Sally Morrow (Carroll)
And thank you for posting Steve.
James Kissell
Doug was a great frend, classmate and leader who died a hero. only wish to get the city of Newark, and the Viet Nam veterans to plant a tree in his honor in the Viet Nam veterans tree park where he justly belongs.
Todd Martin
As a Viet Nam Veteran I visited Washington D. C. on the Honor Flight on Oct. 21th. I did not Doug Varner very well but while at the Viet Nam Wall I found his name.I rubbed his name on a piece of paper with a pencil. The Wall was very hard to look at with over 58,000 names. I was one of the lucky ones who made it back. Thank You Doug for your Service and Sacrifice. Todd Martin Class of 1966.