On January 28 and 29, 2010, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College will host special guests, Retired Lieutenant General Martin R. Berndt of the U.S. Marine Corps and his wife, Diana, as well as Mary Pat Kelly, SMWC 1967 alum and author of “Good to Go: The Rescue of Scott O’Grady from Bosnia".

Lt. Gen. Berndt is visiting to show his support of the Yellow Ribbon Program that Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College participates and offers to all military branches. SMWC’s participation in this program, when combined with the Post 9/11 GI Bill, means that veterans who have served on active duty for at least 36 aggregate months since 9/11/01 and who meet college admission requirements will have the opportunity to attend SMWC tuition-free. 

Berndt is also showing his support for the new Sister Catherine Hartman Spiritual Companionship Program. The Sisters of Providence are partnering with SMWC by offering an optional spiritual companion to any veteran who enrolls in an academic program at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. They will offer on-going visits with a Sister of Providence companion at the time a student may be on campus as well as on-going visits via email or letters.

LtCol Ron Benda of Kilo Company, 3rd Bn 24th Marines, who was once an English teacher at Otter Creek Middle School, said, “After World War II, the original GI Bill provided unprecedented educational opportunities to the 'Greatest Generation.' Today's Post 9/11 GI Bill and forward-thinking partners like Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College are again stepping up and providing similar well-earned and much deserved opportunities for America's newest great generation of veterans.”

During Lt. Gen. Berndt’s visit, the public will have the opportunity to meet him and to hear him speak on the topic of “Leadership and Education” on the SMWC campus. His presentation will be held Thursday, January 28, at 7:00 p.m. in the Cecilian Auditorium in the Conservatory of Music building.   Also, on Friday, January 29, at 10:00 a.m., the public is invited to a Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony in the Sisters of Providence Cemetery on the east side of campus.

The Wreath Ceremony honors Sister Catherine Hartman, (RIP), who, prior to becoming a Sister of Providence, served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Women's Reserve, United States Marine Corps during World War II.  Members of the I-I staff for Kilo Company, 3/24, of Terre Haute, will assist in the ceremony.

“Today’s Marines draw inspiration and strength from those who served before us and their ‘Corps Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment.’ Honoring Sr. Catherine Hartman allows us to pay tribute to one who helped set these high standards,” said LtCol Ron Benda of Kilo Company.

The general public may recall Lt. Gen. Martin R. Berndt’s name.  In 1995, he received national media coverage for his leadership in the rescue of Captain Scott F. O’Grady. O’Grady’s F-16 was struck by a missile in Bosnia. O’Grady survived the crash, but remained in Bosnian Serb territory until his rescue. SMWC 1967 alum, Mary Pat Kelly, wrote a non-fiction book about the rescue entitled, “Good to Go: The Rescue of Scott O’Grady from Bosnia.”

Following Berndt’s retirement in 2005 from active military service, he has continued to work directly with the military as well as with organizations that support the armed forces.

Berndt currently is a senior mentor to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Staff Training Program, holds a similar position with the Joint Forces Command, and is a member of the Onslow County Military Affairs Committee.

During his 36-year military career, Berndt commanded the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic; U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe; U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South; U.S. Marine Corps Bases, Atlantic; U.S. Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic; U.S. Fleet Marine Force, Europe; the 11 Marine Expeditionary Force/Striking Force, Atlantic; the 24^th Marine Expeditionary Unit; and the U.S. Joint Forces Command Joint War Fighting Center.

Other positions he held include that as a Middle East/Africa planner and U.S. military liaison to the West Africa Peacekeeping Force in Liberia. He also was the assistant chief of staff to Headquarters, U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany.

Lt. Gen. Berndt was commissioned a second lieutenant after his graduation from West Chester University. Following that commission, he attended The Basic School and Vietnamese language school before serving in the Vietnam War.

To learn more about Lt. Gen. Berndt’s visit, the Yellow Ribbon Program or Sr. Catherine Hartman Spiritual Companionship Program, please visit www.smwc.edu.