Real Story Behind the Lance Cpl. Joshua "Bernie" Bernard Dying Photo

In the photo taken while under enemy fire, AP photographer Julie Jacobson captured the image just seconds after Bernard was hit with a grenade in his legs. The image shows two of Bernard's fellow Marines over his bleeding body helping him. The photograph does show a puddle of blood and that is one of the main reasons behind the criticism for the release of the image.

AP is also being highly criticized since they decided to release the dying Marine photo even after Bernard's father asked them not to. A retired Marine himself, John Bernard asked that the image of his son dying on the battlefield not be released after seeing the photographs by representatives from the AP.

The criticism and debate that has ensued since the release of the Bernard's dying photo has actually overshadowed the real story behind the photograph. The story of a brave Marine and of his comrades that tried to save him and it is a story that is similar to many of our military heroes.

Most of the news stories involving Lance Cpl. Joshua "Bernie" Bernard talk only about the photograph and not about the hero he and his fellow Marine are. The heroic story is what AP staff Alfred De Montesquiou and Julie Jacobson told in the story with the now famous dying Marine photo.

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.

Back in his hometown of New Portland, Maine; Lance Cpl. Joshua "Bernie" Bernard's family and friends are now dealing with his death and with the controversy of the dying Marine photo. They remember Bernard who was 21 as a very Christian wonderful young man. Bernard was a caring young man who obviously was raised proper since he was known to open doors for people and was always the first to offer help to people.

I do not personally oppose the actual image in itself and I see the historical importance of it and other images similar to it. I do not agree with the AP in releasing the Lance Cpl. Joshua "Bernie" Bernard dying photo after his father had requested them not release it. I feel they should have respected his wishes as his parent and used another image that help tell the story without the graphic detail.

I do wonder if the AP had not released the photograph if Bernard and his story would have just been one of the 739 Americans killed since our involvement in Afghanistan started in 2001. Bernard and his fellow Marines' story is probably similar to many of the American military servicemen and women that have served and sacrificed for our freedom. We should not wait for Memorial Day or Veteran's Day to honor them.

If it was not for the Lance Cpl. Joshua "Bernie" Bernard dying photo, I would not have shed a tear while reading the AP story. And I would not have been reminded to say a prayer for him, his family and all of those serving in the military that are allowing me my freedom. May God Bless you Lance Cpl. Bernard and May God Bless and continue to protect all of our servicemen and women.