David Bernstein

West Point, 2001

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by 2LT Robert T. MacLean on November 18, 2003:

I first met Dave in the winter of 1998-1999, when we began training for Combat Diver School. It was immediately apparent that Dave was a guy that you wanted to get to know because having him by your side would only make you better. Dave had the utmost respect from all of the Divers at West Point. He was a man who everyone would look up to and try to emulate. If you were a trainee and Dave was running the training session in preparation for Pre-Scuba you knew that you were in for a long and hard night. He trained the new guys hard not for his own satisfaction, but because he knew that hard times spent in the West Point pool would translate to success down in Key West. For me, his outstanding example was a constant reminder to excel and complete the Combat Diver Qualification Course. I was really excited when I found out I would be serving with Dave in the 173rd Airborne Brigade. I talked with him many times before I moved to Italy and he helped me with every aspect of reporting to my first unit. I ran into Dave a few times at the airbase here in Kirkuk, Iraq. It was always good to see a close friend, and shoot the breeze about what was going on in our rifle platoons. The last time I saw Dave he was coming out of the gym on the airbase. He was drenched in sweat from one of his usual awe-inspiring workouts. We talked about what we had been doing lately. He had just taken over as a rifle company XO, and really loved his new job. As we parted he said, ?take good care of your guys, Bob.? I truly hope that I can take care of my guys the way you took care of yours, Dave. I?ll miss you, Brother. You showed me that I can set the bar higher, everyday. 2LT Bob MacLean

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