WNU Editor: In doing this blog, I am always reading and scanning news web sites and blogs. On the case of Lcpl Joshua Bernard, there are two bloggers whose comments and analysis stick out and deserve recognition for their style of writing, analysis, and (more importantly) being thoughtful on a difficult moment for the Bernard family. I have posted their posts below.
In response to Publishing the Marine Photo: Remember the Words of Christ, John Bernard, 1stsgt USMC ret., speaks.
I am Lcpl Joshua Bernard’s Father. I deeply appreciate your intense concern over this immoral act and believe these folks are working without a functional conscience as described in Romans chapter 1. Having said that; I will make the same point here that I have now made repeatedly in interviews. We cannot let this ‘distraction’ change the important elements of the greater story and that is the implimentation of the new ROE. There aren’t 1000 Afghan lives that are worth a single Marine’s life. I say this because I am first an American and Marine – not a world citizen. We have a right and responsibility to export violence to defend these shores and our citizenry. Anything less and we will be judged ‘found wanting’ as the Bible describes those who fail to do what they know to be right. It is time for us to hold our elected officials
In response to Publishing the Marine Photo: Remember the Words of Christ, John Bernard, 1stsgt USMC ret., speaks.
I am Lcpl Joshua Bernard’s Father. I deeply appreciate your intense concern over this immoral act and believe these folks are working without a functional conscience as described in Romans chapter 1. Having said that; I will make the same point here that I have now made repeatedly in interviews. We cannot let this ‘distraction’ change the important elements of the greater story and that is the implimentation of the new ROE. There aren’t 1000 Afghan lives that are worth a single Marine’s life. I say this because I am first an American and Marine – not a world citizen. We have a right and responsibility to export violence to defend these shores and our citizenry. Anything less and we will be judged ‘found wanting’ as the Bible describes those who fail to do what they know to be right. It is time for us to hold our elected officials accountable and renind them that they are Americans and for the attrocities against our Warriors that they are complicit in. Keep fighting the fight guys, here in your blog as I am with this small window of opportunity I have been given through the shed blood of my only son.
John Bernard
1stsgt USMC ret.
For more, see Proud to be a Marine.
As you know, there is a current professional scuffle going on over the issue of the AP decision to publish a photo of a Marine after he had been mortally wounded by an RPG, but prior to his death. I refuse to re-publish the photo, but if you care to view it you can find it at the links I provide. I must provide links in order to critique the incident.
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Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and the Associated Press had a bit of a disagreement on Friday. An AP photographer named Julie Jacobson, embedded with the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, in Afghanistan’s Helmand province - included a picture of Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard while being treated by what turns out to be a mortal wounded from an RPG. The Associated Press decided to distribute the photo as part of its package for the story, at which time Secretary Gates sent the following letter to AP President and CEO Thomas Curley.
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