Flags are flying at half-staff today in Maine as the funeral was held for Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard, a Kaneohe Marine who died Aug. 14 while serving in Afghanistan. Bernard's funeral was at the Crossroads Bible Church in Madison.

Bernard, 21, of New Portland, died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province. His cause of death was not disclosed.
He was a rifleman assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
Bernard joined the Marines in November 2006 and reported to the 2nd Battalion in May 2007. Bernard previously deployed to Iraq with the unit in January 2008.

His awards include the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, according to the Marines.
Bernard was the seventh Kane'ohe Bay Marine with the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Regiment to have been killed in southwestern Afghanistan since the unit deployed in late May.