Varner

The parents of a 19-year-old Marine from Butler County who was shot Friday near the Iraqi town of Nasiriyah had yet to hear a report on his condition Saturday night.

Pfc. Michael Varner, son of Michael and Melanie Varner of Ross Township, was shot in his left leg and had shrapnel in his back, apparently from "friendly fire."

He was treated at a medical trauma unit on the battlefield and taken by helicopter to a military hospital in Kuwait. His mother said her son was scheduled to be transported to Germany.

The parents plan to visit as soon as they can.

Varner, a combat engineer with the 2nd Marine Division based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., is a 2001 Ross High School graduate. He enlisted in April 2002.

Karen Andrew