Let us pray for the soul of Lance Corporal Joshua Bernard. He gave his life for our liberty in Afghanistan on August 14, 2009. Our deep condolences go to his family and friends on the loss of such a young and wonderful man.
There is a controversy growing about the publishing of a picture that shows Lance Corporal Joshua Bernard, severely wounded and dying. The AP, a news outlet, decided to release the photo against the wishes of his father, John Bernard, a retired Marine himself. These actions by the newsmedia is distasteful and disrespectful of someone who has made such a sacrifice for his country.
These are the actions that occured on August 14, 2009. :
"Lance Cpl. Joshua "Bernie" Bernard was leading the patrol of the Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines platoon as they patrolled around Dahaneh, Afghanistan on August 14th. The troop had received a tip that the Taliban was lying in ambush. Bernard, along with 10 other Americans and 10 Afghans and the crew from AP including photographer Julie Jacobson went out searching for them.
During a gun fight, Bernard went down. He was hit in the legs with a grenade. Two fellow Marines went over to him and proceeded to attend to Bernard and his wounds. While hunkering down out of the Marines way, Jacobson was photographing the battle and the two Marines that were exposing themselves to enemy fire to try to save a fellow Marine and their friend's life.
Jacobson recalls hearing them comfort Bernard and encourage him while they tended to his wounds out on an active battlefield. The Marines crawled and dragged him to the MRAP, the mine-resistant armored vehicle, which then took Bernard back to their base just 500 yards away. Bernard's vital signs were stable when he was then transported via helicopter to the main Marine compound in southern Afghanistan, Camp Leatherneck.
Back on the battlefield fighting would continue for about 10 to 15 minutes. When the fighting stopped some of the Taliban got away, but three were killed. Bernard's fellow Marines would learn shortly later that he had died on the operating table from a blood clot in his heart.
Later Bernard's squad leader, Cpl. Joshua Jackson continues to wonder if there was something he could have done differently and knows that it is something that all Marines have to learn to live with. Another Marine that was on the patrol with Bernard, 2nd Lieutenant Jake Godby probably stated it best when he told the AP crew "I think it's got to do with being a Marine; you just carry on." Just now they carry on with a sad heart and thoughts of their friend Bernie." http://www.huliq.com/7504/85901/real-story-behind-lance-cpl-joshua-bernie-bernard-dying-photo
During a gun fight, Bernard went down. He was hit in the legs with a grenade. Two fellow Marines went over to him and proceeded to attend to Bernard and his wounds. While hunkering down out of the Marines way, Jacobson was photographing the battle and the two Marines that were exposing themselves to enemy fire to try to save a fellow Marine and their friend's life.
Jacobson recalls hearing them comfort Bernard and encourage him while they tended to his wounds out on an active battlefield. The Marines crawled and dragged him to the MRAP, the mine-resistant armored vehicle, which then took Bernard back to their base just 500 yards away. Bernard's vital signs were stable when he was then transported via helicopter to the main Marine compound in southern Afghanistan, Camp Leatherneck.
Back on the battlefield fighting would continue for about 10 to 15 minutes. When the fighting stopped some of the Taliban got away, but three were killed. Bernard's fellow Marines would learn shortly later that he had died on the operating table from a blood clot in his heart.
Later Bernard's squad leader, Cpl. Joshua Jackson continues to wonder if there was something he could have done differently and knows that it is something that all Marines have to learn to live with. Another Marine that was on the patrol with Bernard, 2nd Lieutenant Jake Godby probably stated it best when he told the AP crew "I think it's got to do with being a Marine; you just carry on." Just now they carry on with a sad heart and thoughts of their friend Bernie." http://www.huliq.com/7504/85901/real-story-behind-lance-cpl-joshua-bernie-bernard-dying-photo
Let us pray for the Lance Corporal Joshua Bernard's fellow Marines and that they return home safely. They are continuing the fight against our enemies and it will be hard. I want to thank them all for my freedom.
The picture of the death of Lance Corporal Joshua Bernard will not be shown on this site out of respect to him and his family. Thank you sir for my freedom.
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