Paul Bernard serves on a variety of veterans groups, helped create an American Legion post in Turner and now leads a post in New Auburn. The Sun Journal wanted to know more about what drives him to keep working for the men and women who served.

Name: Paul R. Bernard

Age: 61

Hometown: Lewiston

Single, relationship or married? Married 37 years

Children? Daughter, Bethanie Starr

You were recently named commander of New Auburn’s American Legion post, William J. Rogers Post 153. What does the commander do? As commander I preside at all meetings and have general supervision over the business and affairs of the post. Also, I am still serving as a director of the LA Veterans Council Inc. We are working together on commemorative events, developing the Veterans Memorial Park and working with community leaders to remember and honor all of our comrades, whether it’s placing flags at graves or driving a veteran up to Togus.

You served in the military during the Vietnam War era. What was your service like? I enjoyed serving as an airman on the USS Constellation CVA 64, Attack Squadron 165, Boomers. I loved working on the flight deck on A6 Fighter Jets and got along with everyone. Of course I was the only 18-year-old naive Catholic French boy from Maine, and they said I talked funny. I thought the Kentucky boys talked funny. I also enjoyed being stationed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in Washington. The base was the premier naval aviation installation in the Pacific Northwest and the home of all Navy tactical electronic attack squadrons.

You’ve been involved in veterans issues for many years. What drew you to join a veterans group the first time? When I arrived at Great Lakes Naval Station for training, I thought I had joined a united fighting team. Being from Maine in the ’60s, I had no reason to believe otherwise. But I soon realized that I was not just involved in the Vietnam war, but a racial war and a drug war as well. In 1971 while on a sea tour the racial tensions were so high, my dad called me and said we were on the national news for riots on the aircraft carrier. One night as I was arriving on the flight deck for duty, I walked up to two men throwing another man overboard. It haunts me to this day, and I believe that is what’s motivating me to serve in the American Legion and veteran affairs.

To what other veterans groups do you belong? I was also a member of the Franco American War Veterans, serving with Commander Willie Danforth and past commanders Bert Dutil and Ray Boulet. I cannot say enough good about the Franco American War Veterans. They are an asset to Lewiston and Auburn. Just recently, I was at a Memorial Day event at Oak Hill Cemetery in Auburn, where city officials and veterans held a beautiful ceremony. We had no color guard to raise the flag. Then, as I looked up minutes before the ceremony was to begin, there were Bert Dutil and Ray Boulet, dressed in their color guard uniforms representing the Franco American War Veterans. They raised the flag, making all those that were in attendance proud.

Veterans groups throughout the country are facing declining numbers. What can be done? I hear that frequently, and many say it’s because the younger veterans don’t join because they have jobs and families to take care of. But a large portion of the decline is due to the World War II veterans passing on. For decades they made up the majority of the membership. The only solution is an aggressive public relations campaign, educating the veterans of the benefits and reasons for joining.

What energizes you to keep working for veterans? I am energized by the smile in the eyes of a veterans who were unaware that they were qualified for medical care, disability compensation or other benefits ranging from small business loans to receiving a free grave headstone. I also see the smiles on family and friends who visit the Veterans Memorial Park that thank God for our labor.

What do you tell a veteran who asks, ‘Why should I join?’ There are so many reasons to join the American Legion, whether it’s being involved with veteran affairs, national security, Americanism and youth programs or helping to shape U.S. policy on many fronts. , including veterans’ health care. There’s also the fun of being a part of the Legion Rider motorcycle program that raises millions of dollars to help children, veterans and families. And there are other benefits, conventions, special events, welcome-home dinners, concerts and holiday observances that make service a pleasure.