Fallen Marine Laid To Rest

MADISON (NEWS CENTER) -- People gathered in the central Maine towns of Madison and New Portland Monday morning to celebrate the life of a fallen Marine.

According to the Department of Defense, Marine Lance Corporal Joshua Bernard was killed in Afghanistan's Helmand Province on Friday, August 14th.

The funeral service for Bernard, 21, was held at the Crossroads Bible Church in Madison. The Bernard family are members of the Crossroads congregation.

Bernard was then laid to rest at a cemetery in his hometown of New Portland.

Bernard's father, Marine First Sergeant John Bernard, eulogized his son.

Clad is his full dress blue uniform, he told the crowd, while he gave his son plenty of reasons not join the Marine Corps, his son was determined to serve his country.

At one point, Sgt. Bernard placed his hand on his son's casket and said, "This is the definition of courage!"

Bernard was buried later at the East New Portland Cemetery, in his hometown of New Portland.

He is survived by his parents, John and Sharon, and his sister, Katie.

Doug Libby, a family friend, said he knew Josh would follow in his father's footsteps.

"Josh had a sense of honor; he believed in his country, the job he was doing," Libby said after the service. "He always talked about joining the Marines, as his father had done."

Lance Corporal Bernard joined the Marines in 2006, serving one tour in Iraq and Afghanistan, earning several commendations, including a Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal and a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

The members of his unit dubbed him 'Holy Man," as a tribute to his faith.

Bernard served as a religious lay person for his unit when it did not have a chaplain.

Monday, his casket was flanked by members of the Patriot Guard Riders, who turned out to honor his service.

The family is asking that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. For more information, visit the "Related Links" section on the right side of this Web page.