LANGLEY AFB, VA. –
In the light of tradition and honoring a legacy, a noncommissioned officer from the Air Combat Command was given the Spirit of the Four Chaplains Award July 14 at Bethel Manor.
Chaplain (Col.) Bobby Page, Langley Chapel, bestowed Staff Sgt. Christopher Varner with the award for giving of himself to enhance the spiritual lives of others.
The Spirit of The Four Chaplains Award honors the four chaplains of the World War II U.S. Army Transport Dorchester – Rabbi Alexander Goode, Rev. George Fox, Rev. Clark Poling and Rev. John Washington – encourages service before self and celebrates the Air Force’s religious diversity.
“Though Sergeant Varner serves in a different time than the Four Chaplains, they share an undaunted, common commitment to humbly serving others,” said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Jeffrey Swanson, Office of the command chaplain Personnel and Requirement Division chief. “Sergeant Varner stokes the hope I have in America’s future, and his virtues and outright professionalism serve as a daily inspiration.”
Sergeant Varner arrived at Langley during a time of intense transitioning and high duty tempo.
“Upon arrival, Sergeant Varner picked up many of duties of a recently deceased comrade, learned readiness management skill sets and literally accomplished the jobs of two NCOs for an entire year,” Colonel Swanson said. “Staff Sgt. Varner maintains exemplary enthusiasm and collaboration at every venture. He is a joy with whom to serve.”
One of Sergeant Varner’s large projects is the Expeditionary Personnel Readiness Training program, in which he organized a decade of diverse deployment data into a single program. Then, he schedules nearly 50 students at 12 classes per year for combat ministry training.
“They are going to war,” Sergeant Varner said. “We’ve got to open their eyes to the wartime ministry mission.”
Sergeant Varner was also crucial in the planning and organization of the Department of Defense deployment ministry during recovery operations following hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. Canceling holiday plans, he organized a readiness plan and deployment list prior to the hurricanes’ touchdown on the coast. The Air Combat Command Crisis Action Team also called on Sergeant Varner to prepare readiness plans for active-duty, guard and reserve forces.
“That’s why we do this. They deserve our help,” said Sergeant Varner, as he looked at the broadcasted images following the hurricanes.
Sergeant Varner’s ministry steps beyond the chapel walls. This past year, he was able to rescue a woman from violent car accident and provide first aid until medics arrived on scene. The victim was able to sum up Sergeant Varner’s ministry perfectly.
“He obviously loves God and loves God’s people,” she told Colonel Swanson.