Pete Bernardo and Mayor Beryl Rothschild
Pete, Joanne and Michael Bernardo
Read citation from awards program
|
|
|
Read citation from awards program |
| University Heights names Pete Bernardo 'Citizen of the Year' | ||
|
|
Pete Bernardo, Director of Planned Giving at JCU, received the award of Citizen of the Year last week during the annual University Heights "City Beautiful" celebration at Temple Emanu El. "When you need him, he's just there," was the way Mayor Beryl Rothschild summed up Pete's qualifications. Pete accepted the award with humility and "in the spirit in which it's given -- I hope it encourages many other people to take part in their community." A highly decorated Vietnam veteran, he recalled the Ranger slogan, "Cooperate and Graduate." "The same thing goes for our city," he said. "If everybody takes part, there's not a task we cannot accomplish." Bernardo also thanked his wife, Joanne -- "If I didn't have her support I couldn't do half of what I do" -- and his son, Michael, praising him as a "role model for the young (homeless) men we've taken into the house." The awards ceremony also honored Helen Joyce of JCU's Academic Advising Center and her husband John with a "Tulips" award for the beauty of their Eaton Road home. |
|
| Return to News and Events | ||
Peter R. "Pete" BernardoCitizen of the Year |
Peter “Pete” R. Bernardo has given his time, energy and enthusiasm as a volunteer to many of the city’s programs, especially the annual Memorial Day Parade. He is a master of logistics, handling large crowds, and organizing and planning for same. His latest accomplishment for the city was arriving at City Hall and offering his very valuable service to the large undertaking of the memorial tribute to those who lost their lives on 9-11-01. That event was being planned for the evening of September 11, 2002 on the front lawn of Wiley Middle School. Within a very short time he had the logistics, placing of flags, and staging all worked out. The success of that evening to a large extent is due to the efforts of Mr. Bernardo.
He has received many honors in the last two years for his role with the ROTC. He was inducted into the John Carroll University Military Science Hall of Fame. He is one of the most decorated Army officers who served in Vietnam. He won the nation’s second highest combat honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, for heroic action under enemy fire while a Commander in the 25th Infantry Division. Capt. Bernardo was seriously wounded but refused medical evacuation until his company’s mission was complete. His other honors include the Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal with “V” device, Oak Leaf Cluster, and three Purple Hearts. At the city’s Memorial Day Parade this year, Mr. Bernardo received a special award from the city and the Parade Committee in appreciation for his commitment to this event for many years. Mr. Bernardo ’67 is Director of Planned Giving in John Carroll’s Development and Alumni Relations Division. He joined the university in 1987 as Director of Alumni Relations after retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Army. In the community in addition to his involvement with the city, Mr. Bernardo works with children and young adults, introducing them to “Great Books,” tutoring for GED, coaching football (he was a fullback and track man in high school) and teaching mountaineering, rappelling and bridging at summer camps. Peter “Pete” Bernardo, his wife Joanne and family are long time residents of University Heights. We honor him tonight as the 2002 “Citizen of the Year” for his dedicated service to University Heights and also for his service to our country. Peter “Pete” Bernardo is a role model extraordinary. |
|
| Return to News and Events | ||
