Bernard John O'Donnell

Bernie was one of the finest men I had the pleasure to call a friend. Jim McCarthy

You're at peace. I miss your guidance on matters of life.

Basic at Polk, Primary at Walters, on to Rucker, then both to the 134th and my partner for R&R in Sydney. Bernard John Thomas O'Donnell is one war name I can never forget. I miss my friend.

Bernie.At the Kentucky Kampout this October talk around the campfire was filled with memories of you. Someone pointed out where you usually sat.You said very little, but the look on your face said tons. Miss you brother. Top Gun,or as you liked to call me Mr Gunn.

It's been awhile, but you are still in my thoughts. Still got the calendar.
Rest my friend, rest. Jim Mindak VVA 242

Well, you did a great job of getting me involved in
242. I can still see you sitting on the sideline, with
that cigar and smile, when I ran a meeting. I still got the calendar and memories. Thanks, Brother.

Sweetest gentleman & friend, that´s my memory of my neighbor. To think that I almost selected a house on another street.. I would have missed the privilege of meeting Bernie. Rest easy dear friend.

I asked you for the calendar from the Helicopter
Assoc. You told me I would have to join 242 before
you gave it to me. The rest is history. Thanks for
getting me there and started. I consider you a great friend and mentor

Your leadership continues to inspire me to keep the faith in the organization you helped build!
Pray for us as we pray for you...

Sympathy and blessing to Bernard's family

Brother Bernie,
Continue to rest in peace knowing that you will always be part of and remembered by, all your friends and fellow veterans.

Never forgotten my friend.

It is good to keep his memory alive.

Brother Bernie,
Although a half decade has passed, the memory of your service and dedication to fellow veterans will forever remain in the hearts of all that you have touched. God has asked that you climb a little higher in the skies that you once flew to join Him in everlasting peace. Rest in His peace kind sir, your work here is done.

Miss ya Bernie... you left an indelible mark on the lives of those who love you. Namely me.

Travel well Brother. Miss you.

Everyone who met Bernie was either helped by him ... or put to work!

Well Bernie,

We miss you and your wisdom every day. Talk about you a lot to your daughter Val, and have met your new grandson. He is in Great hands with her, and he has even attended a VVA Chapter #242 meeting with Val. We might even see him at the Sock Hop this Saturday night that you use to run, that tradition still continues even if we did move it to a different location now. God Bless RIP Brother.

Never forgotten..... Bernie is an endearing man who made ya feel special. Such a gentleman and brother to all. I miss his half grin, with a cigar hanging on the other half. His quick wit and thundering laugh. Most of all I miss visiting with him and listening to his stories. Love you man...

Bernie,
Although nearly four years have passed your memory lives on in the hearts of many.
Your dedication to family, friends and fellow veterans will forever remain part of your great legacy.
Thank you for your service to our country.
May God share His blessings with you once again in the skies of heaven for your ultimate, 'Welcome Home.'

Happy Veterans Day Bernie! I never had the opportunity to meet you but know your brother Paul and if you're anything like Paul, you were one hell of a wonderful man. RIP and God Bless!

Leaving the light on for you.....

Bernie was my room mate in flight school. He was a good friend and when we built the safety sign at Ft. Wolters he was not sure if I knew what I was doing. I had been a cement finisher prior to joining the Army. It was a large concrete sign and we all pitched in and built it and it still stands today. Bernie talked me out of staying in the Army and i might be alive today because I listened to him. He always had a 'glint' in his eye and a little smile on his face. Well...brother ...now you know all the secrets.

My Deepest Sympathy goes out to the entire family. Paul and Chris have become friends of my wife DeeDee and I and as we've gotten to know them, we've learned about eachother's lives a bit and also familial situations. Bernie, while we never met him, we know he was an amazing Man as is Paul and his fearless service to his beloved American in the war, love for country and family will be missed by all he touched. Our Prayers to all of the friends and family mourning and know God has a new Irish Angel in Heaven!

Bernie, you always gave me good advise, no matter what the subject was. You will always be in my heart, my friend. I miss you so much already. May God be with your family.

A Friend and Brother. Bernie, you will be missed by all of us who had the pleasure of knowing you. Kentucky Kampout will not be the same with seeing you sitting in your familiar spot under the pavilion. Rest in Peace with all those who have gone before you My Brother.

Bernie,my brother.We will all miss you in Kentucky.I'll miss you everywhere.I recall the times,me,you,Rich,and Brad.Were in Key West.Just sitting around looking out over the ocean.Every now and then,you would say to me,"Mr.Gunn,are you happy?"Your smile and concern,for all veterans,made me very happy.Thank you,for your service,and you were a true american hero.Welcome home brother.

Bernie, you were once my brother-in-law but have always remained a friend - I am ever grateful for the love and support you gave me in my time of need. I will always be there for your daughters.
Helene

It is so hard to say goodbye to a friend like Bernie. His cigar chomping grin, and everything about him, will be sorely missed. And especially so by the Veterans' community that he represented so long and so well. So it is just farewell Buddy. May we meet again someday at that big PX in the sky. May the good Lord Himself wish you "Welcome Home" at last.

Bernie,

You will truly be missed by ALL of us. Thanks for all you did for Veterans and it will live on. God Bless R.I.P Brother, we will never forget you and will always love and respect you, and watch over your two daughter's and grandson. You served your family and veterans fully, now rest because the Good Lord has called you home.

Dear Bernie,
You will be missed by all of us, from the Vietnamese Veterans Association of Illinois.
KQ Dung Nguyen

Bernie, I am so honored to have been your friend!! Your support of my Chapter Presidency in the mid-90s meant the world to me. I will never forget you, nor will Sue and Rhoda.

Bernie, what can I say, but Thank You... You helped me believe that I was worthy to obtain the VA benefits that I now enjoy. Even the DV license plate that I have. Because of you, I have become more active in a most important organization the "VVA" and more importantly the VVA Chicago Chapter 242. Your bigger than life presence was always welcoming and encourageing especially to us new guys. I will miss the opportunity to talk with you when I have questions about benefits or the VVA, your smile and that cigar sticking out the side of your mouth (unlight). I am sad that I will not get the chance to know you better and laugh at your jokes or funny comments. Thank you for being my vet brother. "Welcome Home" and God bless...

Travel well Brother

I was fortunate to know Bernie from the St. Barts and Gordon Tech days. He was a super guy who always wore a smile.

Jenny, my caring daughter,

The passing away of your Dad has filled our hearts with enormous sadness. Bernie was such a wonderful, cordial person that those who had a chance to get to know him could have warmed with his warmth. We know that he was a great support at hard times to you, Jenny, Rafal and Brian and he gave you lots of love and a sense of security. We have loved him as a Brother and were full of admiration for his personality and character. We are grateful to him that he was like a mentor and a father to Rafal in his many important life chapters. We all loved him. Requiescat in pace

Agata, your Mamu, Wiesia, aunt, Agnieszka, sister-in-law

I was fortunate to know Bernie for twenty-plus years - a finer, more "gentler giant" never existed. He will be sorely missed by all.

Jim McCarthy

This is lit just for you, Bernie....my friend and protector I already miss you terribly. May you rest in peace and always be near. With endless love and respect, Karen

Bernie, My uncle, once my boss and my mentor while deciding which path to take in serving my country as you did. Your character and loyalty to familly, friends and fellow Vets inspires us all. You will truly be missed. Rest well uncle.

Our thoughts and prayers go to Bernie's family at this difficult time Kevin and Deb Naughton

To a true American hero,leader of all, friend, father, grandfather, husband and angel to those he loved so dearly. Thank you for all the special memories and there are many. We will miss you forever. Our sympathies are with all of his wonderful family, Pat,Pat O'Brien

All of your brothers in the 134th will miss your smiling face at our annual reunions. Every day more Vietnam vets pass to their final reward. Berney was much loved by all his family and friends, especially his veteran friends. Berney taught me how to fly in combat and I'm probably alive today because of the good job that he did.

Rest in Peace Bernie. Our prayers are with your family. Respectfully, Bob Curtis ,Vietnam Veterans of
America,Chapter 242


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Another of our heros gone but never will be forgotte.. From this VVA guy I will continue the good work. VVA Chapter 984 Rockford ... Welcome Home Brother.... Mark Lawrence

Jenny, Val and all - I'm so sad for you. We loved your dad. I know mine was waiting with a big warm hug and smile up there for yours. Xoxo

You taught me how to fly Dad. I'm okay. You gave me big wings. Now it's my turn to teach Brian Bernard. And I promise you, I will... #2. Jenny.

Brother Bernie,
Thank You for your friendship and dedicated service to our grateful nation. May God now welcome you into His open and loving arms for your well deserved, ultimate, "Welcome Home."
Mess call in Heaven will now be serving, 'Bernie-Burgers!'
Rest in Peace our brother.

Dear Valerie and Jennifer,
I was so very sorry to hear about your dad. I know how hard it is to lose a dad that you are close to and that you love so very much. Both of you were so good to your dad and I know built great memories of Barney. May those good memories help you through this very difficult time.
Thinking of you.

Gayle O'Donnell Charley (cousin)

The FLAHERTY family sends their prayers and condolences to Bernie 's family. Bernie, you brought our family a lot of joy and good times. You will be truly missed. Jim & Diane Flaherty & family.

Heartfelt and prayerful condolences from the Chicago Police Chaplains. Bernard will be remembered at the Police Mass on Sunday, 22 NOV, 11:00 a.m. at Mercy Home - 1140 W. Jackson Blvd. In the meantime, may family and friends know the healing touch of our all-loving, all-merciful God! [www.ChicagoPCM.org or 312/738-7588]

It wasn't possible for me to be with him and end up not laughing--or at least grinning- -about something or someone. He was a big presence with a strong history of serving America, and he had quite a rich gathering of good friends. May he know God's peace now and forever, until you hold hm again.

The world lost another hero. Rest in Peace, Uncle Barney.