by TIM HARE
Ledger Staff Writer

The body of U.S. Army Spec. Robert Daniel Varga of Monroe City was brought to Mexico Memorial Airport-Hagan Brothers Field on Friday morning, en route to his final resting place in Monroe City.

Varga, a member of the 759th Military Police Battalion, 984th Military Police Company, died July 15 from injuries received during a non-combat related incident in Baghdad. The incident is being investigated.

The body was flown in on a chartered plane from Dover (Delaware) Air Force Base.

The soldier was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq, and is the second individual from Monroe City to die in the conflict. Capt. Joseph Benedict “Ben” Smith died Nov. 7, 2003, during hostilities near Tikrit, Iraq.

Accompanying Varga and his family to Monroe City on Friday were several members of the Patriot Guard Riders.

“The organization is basically formed to show honor to the fallen soldier,” said Vern Bastian, Missouri Red White & Blue Book Coordinator for the organization. “Our riding motto is ‘Riding With Respect’, and standing for those who stood for us.” Read more…

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