Army Private First Class Alexander R. Varela died May 19, 2007 serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. He died in Baghdad of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Five other soldiers were also killed.

Alexander Varela was born Jan. 29th, 1988, in Roseville, CA, where he lived most of his life. While living with his father in Fernley, Nevada. He enlisted in the Army on his 18th birthday . Known to his friends as Alex, Varela went to basic training in May of 2006 as part of a three-year enlistment. His girlfriend was a private in the Nevada Army National Guard. Had plans to serve for three years and return to civilian life. Alex had spoken with family just a few days before he died. Alex had worked with construction with his father in Fernley, California while his mother and other family members Sacramento area and Alex Varella was ready to return home.

Alex loved exploring the Nevada desert on all-terrain vehicles, and shooting trap and skeet. And he always liked the rides to Winnemucca Lake which is about halfway between Fernley and Gerlach. Friends will remember the fun they had riding quads and this is the best way to remember Alex. As a memorial, Alex’s friends will gas up their quads and head into the desert knowing that they were doing exactly what Alex would love for them to do. Alex’s also loved to play paintball with his buddies and cousin in Folsom, California. He also loved to play Halo on his X-Box 360 with guys at Camp Liberty, and photograph his brother Roger and skate buddies. Alex loved life and was the best son a mother could ask for.

The Nevada State Capital and Fernley city area flags were flown at half -staff to honor Alex.