To the Editor:

As we approach this coming Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, I think of the meaning of why we, in Virginia, set aside this day to honor two of our native sons, Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson. These two gentleman brought character to the words, “duty, honor, and sacrifice.”

In our modern day and age these words are rarely spoken when we discuss the current supposed heroes or stars of our time. We seem to be fascinated by who has the most money, biggest house, loftiest of titles, latest hit song, or who was the hero who won the sports game.

Though when you wipe away the superficial things in our lives and reach the core of who we are, what we stand for and believe in, you start to reach words such as duty, honor, and sacrifice.

These two gentlemen, who were in lofty positions and satisfied within their means, set aside their personal wants, wishes and needs and answered a call they believed was to protect their homes, their families and their state. I am honored to have two such heroes from my home state and am proud of their legacies. I hope we can take time this coming Friday to tell our children about them and what they stood for.

Jonathan E. Varnell
Franklin, Virginia