Remembering Bernhard
When Sophie was asked about her brother Bernhard, she always had a good story to tell about the two of them, but she gracefully sidestepped any questions about his war service or how he died. That is probably why, although the McIntosh branch of the family knew where Bernhard was buried, the Fargo-Moorhead branch was not as well informed. The loss of her brother was painful to Sophie. Left to her own devices, his remains would certainly have been brought home for burial. Rather than talk about the sadness, it was simply a topic that was not to be discussed. Ever the older sister, what Sophie did not want talked about wasn't.
As far as can be determined, a family memorial service was never held for Bernhard, and no stone marked his place in the family, if not his grave. Especially for the family members who served in the military, making sure that Bernhard was not forgotten was a matter of family honor. In 2007, memorial stones were placed at Trinity and Concordia Church cemeteries so that those who visit the graves of his father or his sisters and brother would be reminded of his life and his sacrifice. In addition, a small brick was placed in the Walk of Honor at the National World War I Museum in Kansas City.
A family reunion and the dedication of Bernhard's memorial was held on Memorial Day week-end, 2007. WDAY-TV in Fargo reported on the dedication. News Video 8.19 MB
 A small stone sits between his father Thor and stepmother Lina's at Trinity Lutheran Church cemetery in rural McIntosh. |
 A larger stone was placed next to his brother Carl's gravesite at Concordia Lutheran Church cemetery in rural Moorhead.Memorial Program (pdf) Remarks by Scott Hegland (pdf) View Tribute Video 2.08 MB Download tribute video (high resolution) |
 LIBERTY MEMORIAL/WORLD WAR I MUSEUM Kansas City MO WWI/Liberty Memorial Certificate Location of Bernhard's Brick in the Walk of Honor |
