Fullbore Friday

When many his age have trouble moving from the bed to the kitchen ....

With four military retirements behind him, Army Col. (Dr.) William Bernhard says President John F. Kennedy's plea to the nation nearly 50 years ago inspires him to keep going.

"JFK once said, 'Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country,'" Bernhard said. "And I've always tried to do that."

The 79-year-old physician reported here March 20 before leaving for Hohenfels, Germany.

Although most people his age are slowing their pace, the experienced mountain climber said he keeps coming back for the troops.

"This is a voluntary retiree recall, and I do it for all the men and women out there [who are serving]," he said.

As a flight surgeon, Bernhard is responsible for caring for soldiers on flight status. He will conduct annual physicals and care for pilots and others when they are sick or injured.

Retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. Samuel Rhodes, a former 192nd Infantry Brigade sergeant major who met Bernhard in 2005 during a deployment to Iraq, said others should draw inspiration from the doctor.

"He's … still serving, and most of us [retirees] are under 50 and out of the Army," Rhodes said. "I would say we still have a lot more to give, and we can use him as an example. He's a role model for all of us who have retired."

That, my friends, is a great American.

BZ Colonel, and Fullbore.