To the editor:

As we approach this Jan. 16, I think about 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 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, the biggest house, the loftiest title, or the latest hit song, or about who was the hero who won the sports game. But 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 ideals 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 Friday to tell our children about them and what they stood for.

Jonathan E. Varnell

Franklin