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Hometown Heroes say it's an honor to serve your country
(by Dedra Cordle, staff writer - July 14, 2010)
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| Cathy and Jim Bernholtz were named Hometown Heroes in Grove City. After the death of their son, Eric, the couple has reached out to the youth in the community to teach them about the honor of serving the United States. |
After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, there was a resurgence of national pride. American flags could be seen in yards, on overpasses and on freshly inked body parts. It seemed everyone wanted to show the world that the country may be bruised, but it could never be beaten. Eric Bernholtz was one of those people.
After the attacks, Bernholtz, a 2000 Grove City High School graduate, contemplated enlisting in the military. In 2003, he joined the Marine Forces Reserve.
"I told him, 'You know you're going to have to go over there, right?" said his father Jim Bernholtz, a former fire control technician for the Navy. "He said to me 'Yup, someone has to do it'."
On Aug. 3, 2005, in Haditha, Iraq, the amphibious assault vehicle Bernholtz was riding in accidentally drove over an improvised explosive devise. Bernholtz and several other Lima Company Marines were killed in that attack.
"He died with 13 of his brothers that day," said Bernholtz's mother Cathy.
In the years following since Bernholtz's death, his parents have been going to high schools, telling the students their story and explaining to them what it means to be a veteran of the military.
In honor of their efforts, as well as their son's, they were recognized as the 2010 Hometown Heroes.
"When they were nominated, everyone agreed instantly that they should receive the award," said Rick Dawson, the Jackson Township assistant fire chief. "We have a special bond with our military and their families and we support everything they do wholeheartedly."
Jim Bernholtz said they were honored and humbled by the award.
The Jackson Township Fire Department also paid homage to all local World War II veterans. Members of the Grove City Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8198 were on hand for the ceremony.
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