AUBURN — Paul R. Bernard, public relations officer for the American Legion, William J. Rogers Post 153, will be installed as the chief executive officer of the post on Friday, April 19.

Bernard, a member of the American Legion since 1986, is a recipient of the Patriotic Support of the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall Award 2007; The American Legion, National Headquarters Pioneer Award 2007; first place Third District History Award 2007-2008; first place Post History Award 2007-2008; The American Legion, State of Maine, Humanitarian Award, 2008; and the first place American Legion Rider Program History Award 2008-2009.

Bernard also invites members and the public to attend the April 21 post breakfast. Bernard will greet guests and answer any questions.

The breakfast will be served from 8 to 10 a.m. and will consist of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, home fries, baked beans, white or wheat toast and the military’s infamous S.O.S., Army coffee and juice, plus an old Beaulieu family recipe for crepes that has been passed down for generations from Quebec and France.

The cost is $6 for adults, $4 children under 12. All money raised supports veteran programs.

The group is honoring the remembrance of the Bataan Death March, which began on April 9, 1942, and covered 80 miles. Approximately 2,500 to 10,000 Filipino and 100 to 650 American prisoners of war died before they could reach Camp O’Donnell.

“I remember attending a meeting in Augusta in 2007, when Gov. Baldacci was presenting awards to veterans,” said Bernard. “One of the recipients was a Bataan Death March survivor. I spoke with him for awhile and he told me he still could not get the horrific scenes out of his mind. Since that day I have also been unable to forget his story and the Bataan Death March story.”

The American Legion Preamble states, “To preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the Great Wars.”

“This is a statement that burns in my heart,” said Bernard, “and continues to motivate me to serve in the American Legion.”

For information on membership, contact Bernard at 782-1118 or email [email protected] or send mail to New Auburn American Legion, William J. Rogers Post 153, 71 South Main St., Auburn, ME 04210, attention Commander.