A proud send-off for Woodmere family

Not only was it emotionally grueling for the mother to say good-bye to her 18-year-old son, PFC Christopher Vardaro, it was physically taxing: Lori, who suffers from Lupus, was hospitalized on Christopher's last hours in America before his deployment for Iraq.
In the process of being transported by ambulance, Lori received a call from Christopher who was making his final preparations at his base in Fort Benning to leave for Iraq. Although she was ecstatic to hear from her son, an ailing Lori did not want to worry the young soldier on his big day.
"I love you my son, you are my pride and joy," Lori recalled telling her son. "I am with you always - be safe, be proud, go do what you were trained to do: protect and defend."
Lori found herself lying in pain on a hospital bed at South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside. The hours continued to tick before Christopher was to depart from his base. His father, Sam Vardaro, had flown out to Kentucky to visit Christopher at his base before deployment. Lori, obviously unable to make the trip, was still able to connect with Christopher before his deployment. Throughout her painful night in the hospital, Christopher managed to send his love by continually calling his "Momma Dukes."
"Just fight through this and be there when I come home," Christopher told his mother in one of their many conversations.
Along with his father, Christopher's friend Anna Crager visited Kentucky with a group of other friends. In an e-mail Crager wrote to Lori, she said Christopher had his head down and was choked up during his conversations with "Momma Dukes" throughout the night. Crager said the visit from his friends cheered up the young soldier.
Christopher, described by his mother as a "family man," has a deep affection for his young sister, Rebecca, who is now seven years old. He also has a fond connection with his older sisters, Adriana, 23, and Danielle, 20.
From the young age of 13, Christopher had an interest in the military when he participated in the Navy Sea Cadets. There, he learned how to rescue people from the water. Christopher attended Hewlett High School, and graduated a year early so he could join the Army at 17 years old.
"I stood by and watched my son raise his hand and the thought that went through my mind at that time was 'Wow, look at my son,' what a young man he will become by going off and defending our country. The honor and the respect overwhelmed my soul."
Shortly after taking his oath, Christopher packed his bags for Fort Benning, Ga. for months of training. A year later, he is now headed for the war in Iraq as a member of the 101st AirBorne division, 3rd brigade combat team of the 187th Infantry Regiment.
Even before Christopher decided to join the military, the family had always expressed their support for the troops. Lori aided the effort by placing drop boxes for soldiers all over Woodmere and in surrounding areas. Lori emphasized that the Vardaros were not in favor of war, but appreciated the sacrifices the soldiers make to protect America.
"These men and women that join know what they are joining for and why," Lori said. "They know the sacrifices they are facing. They are giving us our freedom."
Lori even admitted that she suggested the military to her high school son, who at one point struggled to figure out what he wanted to do with his future.
For now, Lori and the Vardaro family will continue their efforts by collecting contributions for care packages to send to Christopher's unit. In support of her son and his fellow troops, Lori has placed yellow ribbons outside her home, surrounding the flag that has hung outside the home since 9/11 - and is there to stay.
Comments about this story? MCaputo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.