Byron D. "Jug" Varner was a special person in my life. I am sorry to report that he passed away in November 2006. "Commander" Varner was the Officer-in-Charge of the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service stations at the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in the early 1960s. He inspired me not only to continue in broadcasting -- but to keep my affiliation with the U.S. Navy, which I did. It was many years later, after I had been commissioned and then retired, that Jug and I re-visited one another and kept in fairly regular contact. He was kind enough to share with me his wonderful autobiography, which I found to be a remarkable story. I only wish we'd been able to spend more time with one another in his later years. Sadly, Karen and I were planning a trip to the southeast this winter, and I had hoped to visit Byron and Bonnie in Florida. I shall miss him. POST SCRIPT: A prolific writer, Jug Varner put together a web site called "Keeping Apace." Although geared to the military, the topics were broad in scopte -- everything from travel to politics. As of March 2007, I see that the site is still up; it can be found at: http://www.keepingapace.com

LCDR Byron Varner. A WWII Navy pilot who found his niche' in public affairs. I first knew him as a top-notch "Public Information" officer, who went on to become one of the best in the Navy. He always had time to hear about your problems or needs -- and to lend his help when necessary.

The Varner family arriving at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in 1963. I arrived at "Gitmo," the following winter, thanks to Commander Varner's assistance in getting me orders to the AFRTS broadcasting station there.













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