Photo By Staff Sgt. Michael Adams | Brig. Gen. Jon Harrison, director of the joint staff, Oklahoma National Guard,...... read more read more
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OKLAHOMA CITY — Second generation military aviator honored at retirement ceremony in Oklahoma City, Feb. 4, after more than 30 years of distinguished service to the Oklahoma Army National Guard.
Lt. Col. Keith Varner, a resident of Edmond, Okla., celebrated with more than 100 friends, family and current and former military colleagues. Attendees shared memorable stories of their time serving together, honored Varner's vast military service and wished him the best in his next career.
“God blessed me and gave me the opportunity to do both [be a Soldier and fly helicopters]," Varner said. "I didn’t know the amazing things I would be a part of or the places I would go or the people I would work with."
Brig. Gen. Jon Harrison, director of the joint staff, Oklahoma National Guard, attended and spoke about Varner’s legacy.
“I know one of your favorite quotes is ‘all I want to leave my kids is a good name,’ and just as your father did, you have left a good name for your children,” Harrison said.
Varner began his military career May 21, 1987, when he enlisted in the 145th Air Traffic Control Platoon in the Oklahoma Army National Guard as an air traffic controller.
Varner served in a variety of leadership and staff positions including commander of Headquarters Company, Joint Force Headquarters, Recruiting and Retention Battalion commander and 90th Troop Command operations officer. He went on to serve as the Region V Recruiting and Retention Advisory Council Officer Strength Management Chair, the Region V Chairman and the National Vice Chairman of the Strength Maintenance Advisory Group.
Varner has a multitude of awards including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and earned several badges including the Senior Army Aviator Badge, the Air Assault Badge and the National Guard Basic Recruiting Badge.
Varner is an active member of the Society of Human Resources and the Oklahoma City Human Resources Society. He serves as the Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 79 in Edmond, Oklahoma, where he and his wife of 26 years, Kathryn, reside with their two children, Sydney, age 17 and Joshua, age 13.
Varner closed out his speech by quoting President George Washington.
“I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my Official life, by commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendence of them, to his holy keeping,” Varner said.
Varner holds a master’s degree in Military History from the American Military University and a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management from the University of Central Oklahoma. He is certified by the Human Resources Certification Institute as a Senior Professional in Human Resources.
| Date Taken: | 02.04.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 02.05.2018 14:16 |
| Story ID: | 264628 |
| Location: | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, US |
| Hometown: | EDMOND, OK, US |
| Web Views: | 231 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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