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Cadet Nathan J. Varnell is to be commissioned on Monday, May 15, as a second lieutenant in field artillery in the United States Army. A news release noted that he will graduate the following day, Tuesday, May 16, from Virginia Military Institute where he is a platoon leader with academic stars in his first classman year. “Congratulations to Nathan for his hard work and dedication at VMI and wish him all the best in his future in the United States Army,” officials said in the release. “As freedom is not free and many have served and sacrificed to ensure what we enjoy today, thank you for your service.” Varnell follows a long family tradition. His late great-grandfather Donald E. Jackson served as an airborne field artillery officer in the U.S. Army in World War II; his late grandfather Connie B. Varnell, of Courtland, served in the field artillery in the U.S. Army Reserves; and his father Jonathan E. Varnell, formerly of Courtland, served in the airborne infantry in the U.S. Army.