Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard--"Holy Man"--Life Short But Well Lived

Please tune in 10-17-09 and listen online to a program on this issue.  We need more people aware of this issue so please share and get others to tune in and /or listen to the podcast that will be available on this issue dealing with the revised rules of engagement that are tying the hand of our soldiers.

It's always sad to read about the death of any soldier like the one of Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard who lost his life on Aug. 14th in an ambush in Afghanistan.  But I don't remember reading about one so young (21 yrs old) yet described as a "Holy Man" by his fellow soldiers.

George Washington said "While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian."  Indeed Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard bore that character. 

I asked the Lord for a word today after I had read his story in the Sunday paper and when I opened my Bible it opened to 2Cor Chapter 5

Verse 1 says "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

That was an awesome scripture for all of who believes in Jesus Christ.  Joshua believed and without a doubt he is glad he knew his Savior.  He probably wants all his friends to come to know the Savior he knew so well that gave him a servant's heart after all that's the greatest tribute to our Lord and that is to be like Jesus.  He was the greatest servant of all. 

Joshua saw it was his duty to serve God and country.  I am sure the seeds he planted in the lives of the men he was around will someday sprout and they too maybe called "Holy Man"--what an awesome thing that would be.  Joshua I am sure would like that.

He was described as humble, unassuming and shy yet in contrast he was also the point man for his team and he was known for his determination to get the job done.  2Cor 5:11 talks about the fear or "awe" of God.  The fear or awe of God gives Christians uncommon courage in face of life's troubles as it did Paul of Tarsus and I believe Joshua had this also from what his fellow soldiers described. 

Let us remember to pray for his family also as they continue the fight.  His father, John Bernard,  had sent (weeks before his son's death) a letter to lawmaker.  This was in regard to a recently revised rules of engagement that state troops, can fire at an area if they are receiving fire and are in imminent danger, but if it's possible for them to move away from the area, they are to do so. 

He states "our troops are nothing more than sitting ducks."  What a way to fight is that?  Joshua's father feels this attributed to his son's death.   John Bernard said "they're being fired upon and being told they can't fire back in fear of hitting civilians, which means Marines can die and ultimately can't protect civilians because they can't fire at the bad guys. "

"It's not that they want to go out and kill women and children, but they can't fight like this."

Joshua's father has demanded change so no more troops are in unnecessary danger.  They are fighting a war and they can't do it with their hands tied which is basically what seems to be happening more and more. 

Let's honor the memory of his son by contacting our Congress in support.  Call 202-224-3121.  There are many concerns about our economy to call Congress on --but this is also of high importance.  Our brave men and women deserves us to also fight for them.  It's the least we can do.  After all they give their lives for us.  Thank you Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard for a life well lived serving God and country.  Hope we can do the same. 

Here is an example of the problem our soldiers are dealing with:

Let’s briefly revisit the ROE.  We have discussed the standing rules of engagement, the theater-specific rules of engagement for Iraq, and even the rules on the use of force.  Our problems with the existing ROE and RUF are legendary, and include the insurmountable initial problem that they are constructed around defensive operations and personal and unit self defense and include no discussion or guidance for offensive operations.  This is why General Kearney wanted to charge two Army snipers with murder for targeting a Taliban commander who didn’t happen to be holding a weapon.

Insurgents learn to game the system, as this event shows in Ramadi, Iraq, as reported by David Danelo.

The vehicle commander, Corporal Ronnie Davis, is in front of me holding a pair of binos.  Three other Marines peer down a street where Mujahideen have been firing at us from multi-story buildings scarred by gunfire and explosions.  While we exchange fire with the Muj, other observation assets available to 1 st Battalion, 6th Marines are mapping enemy positions for future operations.

“That’s the same two guys.  They’ve crossed back and forth four times,” Corporal Davis announces, referring to a pair of unarmed Iraqis who have run for cover.  Because these men are unarmed, the Americans under the Rules of Engagement are not allowed to shoot at them—even though gunfire is coming at us from that direction.

Get the picture?  The insurgents had emplaced weapons, fired them, dropped them, run to the next station and picked up another weapon, fired, and were repeating the process as long as they wanted.  The Marines couldn’t return fire because they never saw the insurgents run across the street holding a weapon.  Go to site with this info

City On A Hill Radio Show will be doing an interview with a lawmaker on this issue as our brave men and women needs all of us to fight for them too.