OSMOND - The sacrifices made by those who served their country to maintain its freedoms will be remembered on Monday, May 25. Memorial Day services will be held at 10 a.m. at the Osmond Community School gym. A mock cemetery will be set up on the lawn on the east side of the school grounds.
The program is under the auspices of American Legion Post 326, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7838, Sons of the American Legion Squadron 326, and the Legion and VFW auxiliaries.
Sgt. Sandra Bernt
Sandra Bernt enlisted in the Nebraska National Guard in June 2000, and went to Fort Leonardwood, MO, in January 2000 for boot camp and AIT (Advanced Individual Training). Her MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) was 95B Military Police. She drilled out of the Omaha unit, transferring to the Rapid City unit. While attached to the Rapid City unit, she was activated for the Jasper Fire by Custer, which is to date the largest single wildfire in South Dakota history. In January 2001, PFC Bernt did a conditional release from the South Dakota National Guard and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. She went to recruit training at Parris Island, SC; Marine Combat Training at Camp Lejeune, NC, and was stationed at 1st FSSG (Force Service Support Group) at Camp Pendleton. Upon re-enlisting in the Marine Corps, she attended Recruiter School in San Diego and was then stationed at RS Cleveland RSS Salem PCS Boardman. While at RS Cleveland she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Sgt. Bernt finished her enlistment at Parris Island. Duties at Parris Island included G-3 operations where they section prepared the island for multiple hurricane evacuations. Sgt. Bernt's awards include Navy Unit Commendation with bronze star, Good Conduct with bronze star, National Defense, Global War on Terrorism Service, and the Army Service Ribbon.
Sandra is currently a nine-year member of American Legion Post 252 in Winside, the Wayne County Commander, and the chairperson for the Wayne County Veterans Memorial.
Sandra currently lives in Wayne and works for the Nebraska Department of Transportation. She has four children, Anthony and fiancee Anaka, Nash, Sophie, and Evan.
Students to Speak
Other speakers at Monday's program will be Girls' Stater Ashlyn Spangler, Girls' State alternate Alexa Aschoff, and Ava Severson, who will read her Americanism essay.
Rev. Terry Makelin will give the invocation and benediction. A roll call of departed Legion and auxiliary members will also take place.
Music will be provided by the Osmond High School band and OHS choir.
The program will conclude on the lawn east of the school where a wreath will be placed on the cross of the unknown, a firing salute will be given and "Echo Taps" will be played by Donovan Heiman and Emmett Hoffman.
