Chaplain
Paul R. Bernard, was born in Lewiston, Maine on December 21st, 1951 at approximately
5 am. His father, Leo G. Bernard
(d.o.b. 08/31/1987) was the son of Odilon J. Bernard and Rose A. Dumais both
from St. Ephrem de Beauce, Canada. Leo G. married Irene A. Fortin the daughter of Joseph
E. Fortin and Eva P. Pomerleau both of St. Ephrem de Beauce, Canada. Paul is a
Franco American War Veteran.
De Beauce is located 20 kilometers south of Quebec City and borders the Chaudiere River and stretches out to embrace the State of Maine border. This colorful region, because of its canola fields during the summer, its flaming maple groves in the fall and its snowy back roads during the winter, really is the reflection of the true personality of its inhabitants. Determined and dynamic, hearty and generous, the Beaucerons are by nature overflowing with energy, ideas and co-operation, just as their river which threatens with its break up during springtime. The Chaudiere river springs capers, sugar camp pleasures, dynamic storytellers, community bees the day after the bire. The nickname for the Beauce inhabitants: The "Jarret Noir" The "Jarret Noir" nickname was given to them beacuse when they travelled to Levis or Quebec to sell their goods, they were covered with mud because they had crossed swamps on their way; since then they are called "Jarrets noirs" meaning black calves or shins.
Paul entered in the United States Navy on his birthday December 21st, 1970 and served on the USS Constellation, CVA 64, Atkron 128, Whidbey Island, transferred to Atkron 165, A-6 Squadron "Boomers" San Francisco. After nearly ten years of sustained combat operations involving six deployments, the Boomers returned to NAS Whidbey Island as the last squadron employed in the Southeast Asia Conflict.
On August 2nd, 1970 Lieutenant Richard A. Sather, became the first Navy Pilot to be killed in Vietnam (A-1H Skyraider). On March 28th, 1970, Lieutenant, Everett Alvarez became the first Navy POW (A-4E Skyhawk).
The USS Constellation received the:
Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon
Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars
Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon with 1 Silver Star
Navy “E” Ribbon with 2 Silver “E”s
Navy Expeditionary Service Medal with 4 Gold Stars
National Defense Service Medal with 2 Gold Stars
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with 1 Gold Star and 1 Silver Star
Viet Nam Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star and 2 Silver Stars
Southwest Asia Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star
Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War On Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 2 Gold Stars and 2 Silver Stars
Republic Of Viet Nam Unit Citation – Gallantry Cross With Palm Ribbon
Republic Of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Paul received his accreditation and ordination from the Ministerial Fellowship USA Inc. Kennewick, Washington on June 1st, 1988 with the assistance of Dr. Gerry Begin. As a boy Paul attended St. Peters and Paul School and St. Dominic's High School and served as an altar boy at St. Peters and Paul, Roman Catholic Church. Paul was also sworn in as a Notary for the State of Maine on April 23rd, 1990.
Paul’s wife: Dale J. Leonard of Cambridge, Massachusetts, was joined together on January 21st, 1976. She was the daughter of Herman E. Leonard Jr., World War II veteran and Catherine M. Grammer. Dale gave birth to a daughter, Bethanie Starr Bernard on December 9th, 1976.
Beginning in 1979 Paul and Dale became involved in helping the local communities and the world community in many ways. In 1979 they began their ministerial work fighting for the release of Jews imprisoned in Soviet Russia and were very active as educators for the sanctity of human life. They Incorporated, Defenders of the Unborn Inc., on May 16th of 1986 with the help of Attorney, Bryan M. Dench of Auburn.
Under Defenders of the Unborn (1979 ~ 1989) they founded and opened the Auburn/Lewiston Crisis Pregnancy Center which served Central Maine and surrounding communities but soon evolved into a global work as Maine's Worldwide Missions Outreach Inc in 1990. The Chaplain and his wife were called to serve primarily at New Life Fellowship Church in Auburn as well as churches in Lewiston, Auburn, Limerick, Portland and Poland. Together they spearheaded many programs that served the residents throughout Lewiston-Auburn such as the Health and Nutrition Programs, Smoking Cessation Programs, Cooking Classes and the Medical Equipment Lending Program just to name a few.
The Chaplain was approached by Mrs. Kathy Berger concerning the needs at the Family Aids Center for Treatment and Support in Rhode Island. After listening to the needs the chaplain provided a shipment of supplies containing bumper pads, shampoo, toys, diapers etc., all were sent to relieve the suffering of the infants at the Family Aids Center in Rhode Island. The Aids Center has been in existence since 1989 and cares for eight children ranging from newborn to age three.
The chaplain and his wife also organized Lemuel Academy a Christian home school support group and education center in Auburn and were involved in encouraging youth ministry by providing scholarships and support.
They also had a heart for the poor and lonely in the Lewiston/Auburn area and organized several Thanksgiving Feast from (1990 to 1995).
They also directed Breath of Life, a medical equipment lending program to the sick, disabled, handicapped, young and elderly, male and female of Androscoggin County ~ (1990-1995).
They had the privilege of providing walkers, wheelchairs, hospital beds, mattresses, a variety of canes, baby formula, clothing, furniture, commodes, dental work, eye care, and legal help to people in: Auburn, Brunswick, Brighton, Corinna, Danville, Deer Isle, Gardiner, Lewiston, Lisbon Falls, Mechanic Falls, North Anson, Poland, Portland, Readfield, Saco, West Poland, West Paris, and Woolwich.
They provided medical first aid kits to Pastor Laura Shattuck of the Full Gospel Tabernacle with over 100.00 of medical supplies for the Auburn Christian Academy School.
As Chaplain, Paul and Dale also were inspired to purchase Bibles from time to time. Bibles were purchased for Pastor Robert Giquere to be distributed in the Androscoggin County Jail (English & Spanish). For Pastor Douglas Taylor, director of the Jesus Party, these bibles went to children.
The chaplain posted an article in the Lewiston Sun Journal which read;
"Bibles are available in Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Polish, Greek, Italian, Chinese and Vietnamese and will be delivered free of charge to anyone requesting one."
The phone began to ring and all the bibles were distributed in Androscoggin County.
The Chaplain also had a heart to help those interested in starting non-profit works.
The Chaplain also prepared all the necessary incorporation papers needed and paid the filing fees for non-profit status with the IRS for:
New Life Fellowship in Auburn, Maine. Pastor William Hiltz
New Life Assembly in Portland, Maine. Pastor John Byrne.
Newness of Life, in Alabama. Pastor Eddie R. Pugh.
Neutral Ground, in Poland, Maine. Bruce and Deanna Uldall.
The Chaplain also spearheaded the Incorporation of Church of God in Christ, Route 4 in Auburn, Maine. Pastor Isaac L. Jackson.
The chaplain and his family have had hearts of compassion for the poor and needy, ranging from their own community to across the seas, in foreign countries. Relief aid has been sent into areas overlooked by many. They have provided aid by sending 20 to 40 foot containers, filled up 24’ trucks, and have equipped others with supplies to hand carry on short term mission trips into 41 countries.
Most supplies were extremely difficult to find in third world countries and very much needed. The first shipment of relief aid sent by the chaplain and his wife was financial support into Ghana, Africa and Balboa, Panama and then the chaplain personally took supplies into the Dominican Republic and Haiti under the ministry of Missionary David Eastman of Kane Pennsylvania in May of 1990.
He personally witnessed the cruel sights and heard the heartrending cries of misery and suffering caused by poverty, malnutrition, disease, and civil war and disaster. He has heard and seen the suffering of babies, children, young men and women and the elderly. It was election time and rebels were killing innocent people. There were fires day and night and 42 innocent people were killed the first week he was there. After returning from his first missionary trip, the chaplain heard of the atrocities committed by rebel leader Charles Taylor in Liberia and organized and sent $7,000 of vitamins to the T. B. clinic in Liberia, Africa. To date over fifteen million dollars of relief aid has been sent into forty one countries and micro nations around the globe.
The chaplain has been successful in sending relief aid into
Central America, and the Caribbean to Rum Cay Bahamas, Belize, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, & Jamaica
also aid was sent into Europe to Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, & Sweden
also in North America aid was sent into various States in the United States & Canada & Mexico.
Aid was also sent into Asia to China, the Philippines, India, Russia, & Mongolia.
Also in South America to Columbia, Venezuela, Guyana and Peru.
Aid was also sent to Israel and Morovia a micro nation.
The chaplain and his wife were also deeply moved with the severity of suffering, starvation and disease in nearly every part of Africa and relief aid was sent into
the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Sudan, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, & Tanzania.
The chaplain also had the privilege to have lunch with Lieutenant General J. Hezakiah Bowen, Chief of Staff of Liberia's armed forces, when he spoke in Manchester Connecticut and called attention to the atrocities of the civil war that has ravaged his country of 2.8 million people. He pleaded the cause of his people and shared the need to rebuild Liberia. The chaplain was again moved and responded to many of the specific needs of rebuilding the T.B. clinic in Liberia and the clinic in Monrovia. Twenty eight hospital beds, assorted medical supplies, artificial limbs, braces, etc. were loaded in a 24 foot truck in Auburn and delivered to Manchester Connecticut by the chaplain himself and then was loaded with other supplies on a 40 foot container that was shipped to Liberia.
The chaplain also provided a 24' rental truck full of supplies to Pamela Edwards, Administrator for the International Missionary Service that was sent to the Sim Surgical Hospital in Soddo, Wolaita, Ethiopia to help the seriously sick, diseased and starving.
Dr. Giovana visited the Poland Spring Health Institute in Poland Maine and heard of the chaplains humanitarian work and searched him out. Dr. Giovana met with the chaplain and his wife and expressed the needs of the Institute in Venezuela and their five clinics in Columbia. After listening to Dr. Giovana's work the chaplain and his wife immediately responded with a van full of medical supplies and vegetable and flower seeds.
The chaplain and his wife also heard of the needs of Dr. and Mrs. Aparicio, Dr. Manuel, Dr. Guillermo of Peru. They work in an area outside of Lima Peru and are faced with many dying children. These children with parents and grandparents live on hills of sand without vegetation are covered with shacks made of refuse of metal, straw, whatever could be found by the then thousands of refugees. Today there are millions. When the doctors first visited this area to see the great needs, the children's graveyard were growing to cover a hillside, where T.B. lack of clean water, disease and malnutrition claimed so many so quickly. The children remaining were listless, weak, dying. These people did not believe that we would return with truly free help. So many others had not. We did return and we built a free community health and feeding center there. Today we care for hundreds of children there, and we have virtually stopped the outbreak of T.B. The chaplain and family responded by sending trucks full of relief aid.
Dr. Marc N. Karn, certified prosthetist and President of Maine Artificial Limb in Portland, Maine has donated hundreds of prosthetic supplies to the chaplain which were sent to the soldiers in the Army based clinic in Liberia.
The chaplain also sent aid to Pastor Edward Oddei Asante of Ghana, Africa.
Of the world's 14 million Refugees, almost 800,000 live in camps in Malawi. Aid was also sent to Malawi by the chaplains family.
Mr. Elias Wankyo, Elder at a Village Church in South Lancaster, Massachusetts heard of what the chaplain did for the unfortunate of this world and came to Maine to meet with the chaplain and explained their need as well. The chaplain again responded to the need.
Sun Journal Story: A shipment of supplies has been sent to a clinic in Tanzania, Africa. The medical relief aid, donated has been sent to the only clinic in the area where even government officials go for help and are treated for Malaria, Aids, Malnutrition, Eye Disease and Parasites among other medical problems. Wankyo is also a student at Boston University and plans to return to his homeland in Tanzania next year upon completion of his studies. He has been in the United States working toward his doctoral in theology.
A word from the Chaplain:
In our present day of advanced technology, millions upon millions are yet dying in a world of untold misery, pain, and suffering.
It's a world of hopelessness and despair, living in the shadows of death.
Their chains are poverty, thirst, hunger, malnutrition, starvation, and a multitude of afflictions and diseases. These chains come from a host of causes such as droughts, floods, famine, civil conflict, war, corruption by leaders and governments, terrorism, economic and other disasters. They live in areas where there is minimal or no aid, no nourishing food, no clean water, no medical aid.
Some might think that inevitable premature death would be a welcome relief to their misery and pain, but no one wants to suffer, no one wants to die.
Their only hope of relief is for someone to heed their cry.
Without discrimination the chaplain and his wife have freely provided and distributed relief aid to these people, in need, of all races and faiths.
Together they provided humanitarian assistance and relief aid such as food, vitamins and other supplements, new and newly conditioned clothing articles, all manner of medical equipment, bicycles, fishing supplies, vegetable seeds, educational materials, cooking equipment and utensils, sewing materials.
They also promoted, supported, and conducted educational programs for self-sufficiency in fields such as agriculture, mechanics, sewing, cooking, nutrition, personal hygiene, and health care as well as aiding in building and supporting operating facilities for mission centers, warehouses, feeding centers, schools, and other educational facilities, hospital clinics, and orphanages.
Since 1990 their vegetable and flower seed program has reached different parts of Africa, India, Mexico, Costa Rica, Peru, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and locally to (RCAM) Rural Communities Action Ministries in Leeds Maine and the Poland Spring Health Institute and the Turner Village Church, Calvary Baptist Church, Auburn Advent Christian Church & Share Program.
The chaplain has organized many community distributions and has worked to unite churches in this labor.
As Chaplain he has remained dedicated in seeking out those in need and, without discrimination extended these and other like humanitarian aid to the poor, sick, diseased, injured, distressed, handicapped, blind, deaf, refugees, displaced and orphans.
Towards the end of 2006, the chaplain attended the unveiling of the benches at the Veterans Park in Lewiston. He was surprised of how little people showed up for the event. After a week of prayer and meditation he decided to join the American Legion, Daniel E. Lambert Post 178 in Waterville. He then transferred to Post 22 in Lewiston and then transferred to Turner so as to re-vitalize the Turner Memorial Post 111 which had been closed since the outbreak of Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941).
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