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Elizabeth Warren reveals her oldest brother, 86, has died from coronavirus and her pain that she couldn't hold his hand or say 'I love you' at the end as she pays tribute to the Vietnam veteran who flew combat missions

Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts announced on Thursday that her oldest brother, Donald Reed Herring, has died of COVID-19. He was...

Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts announced on Thursday that her oldest brother, Donald Reed Herring, has died of COVID-19. He was 86 years old.
'My oldest brother, Don Reed, died from coronavirus on Tuesday evening,' the former Democratic presidential candidate tweeted on Thursday. 
'He joined the Air Force at 19 and spent his career in the military, including five and a half years off and on in combat in Vietnam. 
'He was charming and funny, a natural leader.' 
Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts (seen right alongside her oldest brother, Don Reed Herring, in Oklahoma City in December) announced on Thursday that Don Reed died of COVID-19
Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts (seen right alongside her oldest brother, Don Reed Herring, in Oklahoma City in December) announced on Thursday that Don Reed died of COVID-19
Warren announced Don Reed's (seen in the center) death on Twitter on Thursday. He is seen alongside his brothers David (far left) and John (far right) late last year in Oklahoma City
Warren announced Don Reed's (seen in the center) death on Twitter on Thursday. He is seen alongside his brothers David (far left) and John (far right) late last year in Oklahoma City
Warren featured her three older brothers in a video released by her presidential campaign. From left: John Herring, Don Reed Herring, Warren, and David Herring
Warren featured her three older brothers in a video released by her presidential campaign. From left: John Herring, Don Reed Herring, Warren, and David Herring
Warren posted an undated file photo of her alongside her three brothers. Don Reed is seen far left; John is seen second from right; and David is seen far right
Warren posted an undated file photo of her alongside her three brothers. Don Reed is seen far left; John is seen second from right; and David is seen far right

According to The Boston Globe, Herring died on Tuesday night in Norman, Oklahoma.
Herring, who tested positive for coronavirus three weeks ago, served in the United States Air Force for 20 years.
Before Thursday, Warren did not reveal that a member of her own family had been infected with coronavirus.
She confirmed Herring's death in a statement to the Globe. 
'I’m grateful to the nurses and other front-line staff who took care of my brother, but it is hard to know that there was no family to hold his hand or to say "I love you" one more time. 
Warren is seen far right as a young girl alongside her mother and her three older brothers. Don Reed is seen in the air force uniform
Warren is seen far right as a young girl alongside her mother and her three older brothers. Don Reed is seen in the air force uniform
'And now there's no funeral for those of us who loved him to hold each other close,' Warren said. 
'I will miss my brother.'
Born in 1933, Herring attended the University of Oklahoma, according to the Globe.
Before graduating, however, he enlisted in the military.
As a pilot in the Air Force, he flew B-47 and B-52 bombers.
During the Vietnam War, he flew 288 combat missions. Eventually, he was promoted to aircraft commander of a squadron of B-52s.
Herring earned several citations and commendations during his service before he retired in 1973 with a rank of lieutenant colonel.
After his military career, he opened up an auto-detailing business. 
‘What made him extra special was his smile – quick and crooked, it always seemed to generate its own light, one that lit up everyone around him,’ Warren wrote of her brother
‘What made him extra special was his smile – quick and crooked, it always seemed to generate its own light, one that lit up everyone around him,’ Warren wrote of her brother
During Warren's recently aborted campaign for the Democratic nomination, she routinely spoke of her three older brothers - Don Reed Herring, John Herring, 82, and David Herring, 78.  
Warren mentioned her brothers - two of whom, Don Reed and David, were Republicans - during the presidential campaign to boost her claim that she could appeal to middle Americans as well as those who did not support her party.
All three of her older brothers appeared with the senator in a campaign video released in February. 
The video was filmed sometime before Christmas as Warren swung through her former home state of Oklahoma while on the campaign trail.
It shows the four siblings gathered together in a home in Oklahoma City reminiscing about old time. 
'You look good,' Don Reed is seen in the video telling his brother, John, who replies: 'I always look good!'
In another segment of the video, Warren is seen leaning over toward Don Reed and reading his 'birth certificate' - a letter that their father wrote announcing that he was born. 
Warren was just three years of age when her 19-year-old brother, Don Reed, enlisted in the Air Force
Warren was just three years of age when her 19-year-old brother, Don Reed, enlisted in the Air Force
Before he died, Don Reed lived with his wife, Judith Anne Hart, in a small home in Newcastle, Oklahoma.
According to 2010 censure figures, the population of Newcastle was just shy of 7,700 people.
The family said that Don Reed was diagnosed with cancer years ago and underwent treatment.
In February, he was hospitalized with pneumonia. Shortly afterward, he was moved to a rehabilitation center.
Herring is believed to have contracted coronavirus in the rehabilitation center, though relatives have so far declined to identify the facility by name. 
During the Vietnam War, Herring flew 288 combat missions. Eventually, he was promoted to a B-52 squadron pilot and a squadron aircraft commander
During the Vietnam War, Herring flew 288 combat missions. Eventually, he was promoted to a B-52 squadron pilot and a squadron aircraft commander 
The family was told that other patients staying at the same facility were infected with coronavirus.
In early April, Herring tested positive, though he did not show any symptoms for about 11 days.
On April 15, Herring was rushed to Norman Regional Hospital, where he was placed in intensive care.
Six days later, he died.
Herring was not placed on a ventilator.
Since his diagnosis, Warren spoke with her brother nearly every day, but she, his wife, and the rest of the family were unable to visit him due to the highly contagious nature of the pathogen. 
The senator last spoke with her brother on Sunday, when it seemed he was feeling better.
Herring is survived by his two sons, John and Jeffrey.
His first wife, Nancy McKelvain, died in 1982 of leukemia. The couple had been married for about 27 years when she died. 
Herring joined the military at age 19. At the time, Warren was just three years old.
In her autobiography, she write: 'My first memory of Don Reed was when he left for the service and then of his wedding.

At least nearly 2,900 people in the state have been confirmed with the coronavirus, and at least 170 have died, the Oklahoma State Department of Health reported Wednesday, up from about 2,800 cases an 164 deaths Tuesday.
'He was adventurous and dashing, and his very existence was like a distant light.'
More than one-third of Oklahoma’s COVID-19 deaths, 61 in all, have been residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities, according to Health Department data.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican, said on Wednesday that some businesses that were closed in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus will be allowed to reopen this week and others can reopen within 10 days.
The governor’s plan was met with immediate resistance from the Oklahoma State Medical Association and Democrats in the state House of Representatives.
Stitt's plan begins Friday, when barbershops, hair and nail salons, pet groomers and spas can reopen. 
The move is contingent on businesses practicing social distancing, and employees and customers must wear masks if they are within six feet of each other.
'Personal care businesses can reopen for appointments only if they adhere to strict sanitation protocols and are in communities that do not have more restrictions in place,' Stitt said.
Restaurants, movie theaters, gyms and places of worship can reopen May 1.
Nurseries tied to places of worship will remain closed.
State Medical Association President Dr. George Monks said the governor is moving too fast.
'We are concerned Governor Stitt’s plan to reopen the state is hasty at best,' while health care providers are still treating the infected, Monks said in a statement.
'To increase the danger of widespread infection by opening prematurely not only discounts their efforts, but also the sacrifices made by their loved ones,' Monks said.
Stitt’s plan 'comes from a place of fear,' according to House Minority Leader Emily Virgin, a Democrat.
'It is understandable for him to be worried about the long-term economic effects of this pandemic,' Virgin said. 
'However, in this time of uncertainty, it is crucial not to make decisions hastily and out of fear but out of fact.' 

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