L/Cpl Joshua M. Bernard USMC, 21, New Portland, ME (afghanistan)

[GyBill]

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard, 21, of New Portland, Maine, died Aug. 14 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay.

For additional background information on this Marine, media may contact the Marine Corps Base Hawaii public affairs office at (808) 257-8870.

[GyBill]

NEW PORTLAND -- Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard, 21, of New Portland, died Friday, Aug. 14, 2009, in Afghanistan's Helmand province as a casualty of Operation Enduring Freedom.

He was born Dec. 30, 1987, in Lowell, Mass., the son of John J. and Sharon M. (McManus) Bernard.

Joshua Bernard was home-schooled from kindergarten through 12th grade by his mother, receiving his high school diploma from North Atlantic Regional High School before enlisting in the Marine Corps in November 2006. He was assigned to Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines. Joshua was assigned to his unit in May 2007 and deployed to Iraq in January 2008. He was serving with the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force in Afghanistan at the time of his death. Joshua earned a number of awards during his time as a Marine: the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Ribbon, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and Global War on Terrorism Service medal, according to the Marine Corps Base Hawaii public affairs office.

Bernard was an active member of the teen youth group at his church, Crossroads Bible Church in Madison. He enjoyed gaming, hiking, snowboarding and shooting, and he was an avid reader and a big movie buff.

He is survived by his father and mother, John and Sharon Bernard, of New Portland; his sister, Katie Bernard, of New Portland; and one paternal grandfather, Joseph J. Bognore, of Melrose, Mass.

He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, George and Myra McManus; and his paternal grandmother, Marie Bernard.

Visiting hours will take place from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, at Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan. A funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24, at the Crossroads Bible Church, White School House Road, Madison, with Pastor Val Vigue officiating. Burial will follow at East New Portland Cemetery.

Donations may be made in Joshua's honor to the Wounded Warrior Project, 7020 A.C. Skinner Parkway, Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256; or consult www.woundedwarriorpro ject.org.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan. To send messages of condolence to the family and sign an online guestbook, please visit www.mem.com.