Reading Welcomes Hero Home on Wednesday

Photo courtesy Town of Reading

On Nov. 29, 1950, Army Sergeant Christopher Y. Vars was listed as missing in action while fighting in North Korea.

On Wednesday, the remains of Vars, the brother of long-time Reading resident Robert Vars, will return to American soil after nearly 65 years.

The town of Reading will be welcoming Vars home between noon and 1 p.m. Wednesday as Vars is escorted to the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home by State Police and Patriot Guard.

Vars was a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He served during World War II in Burma, Central Burma and China, leaving the service at the end of the war.

He reenlisted to serve during the Korean War. Sergeant Vars was taken as prisoner of war while in Korea.

Vars’ remains were found in POW Camp #5 in North Korea, along the banks of the Yulu River but a DNA match was unable to be made until recently.

Sgt. Vars was the recipient of many awards including the Purple Heart, the POW & Mia Medals, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and several others.

He will be returning to his country, arriving at Logan Airport at 11:24 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9. He will be escorted by the State Police and Patriot Guard to the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home in Reading.

Burial with full military honors will be on October 6th. A service will be held at the Congregational Church in Reading at 10:30 on that day. Internment will ultimately be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett following the church service.

Flags will be distributed at Town Hall beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday for all those who would like to participate in the homecoming.