Bernard Lager

Bernard (Lucky) Lager, 51, 4831 Weslan Drive, Wisconsin Rapids, died at his home in December of 1981 of cancer.

Lager was born June 25, 1930, in Wabasha, Minn., a son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph lager. He married Janice Norton Sept. 26, 1956. She died Aug. 7, 1957. He married Marie Marcek Nov. 29, 1958.

He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1948 to 1950 and joined the Army in 1952. His tours of duty included Guam, Japan, Iwo Jima, Hawaii and Germany. He was with the Army Security Agency and spent two and a half years as fire control platoon sergeant for a Nike Ajax guided missile battery in Hales Corners.

In June 1960, he was assigned as station commander of the Army recruiting station in Wisconsin Rapids. In March 1968, he went to Vietnam for one year as a flight operations specialist before resuming recruiting duties. He retired from military service in August 1970. He received the Army commendation Medal for meritorious service in the Republic of Vietnam from March 1968 to March 1969.

Lager owned Lucky Lager's Tavern in Wisconsin Rapids since July 1971. He was cubmaster of Boy Scout Pack 179 for seven years and helped form the Wisconsin Rapids Independent Baseball League, and was a coach for 11 years.

He was a 20-year member and past commander of the VFW and a member of the American Legion since 1953. He was a Wisconsin Rapids Twins director for two years and a bowling league secretary.

Members of his family included his wife and four sons, Gary, Lawrence, Michael and Bernard Jr.

Bernard Lager

Bernard Lager was a great soldier who fought hard and tough in the Vietnam War. He did all he could to help our country succeed. He is someone who had fought in the war and been around the country trying to help our country through all of its problems. He was a great person and we are proud of him.

Bernard was a great husband and father. He was born on June 25, 1930, to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lager in Wabash, Minnesota. He served as a great role model to his children. His friends and family called him "Lucky", and he was given permission to use that name on his recruiting materials. His family cherished him greatly. His family says that he loved working for the Army but, more than that, helping our country to become independent and fighting for everyone's rights.

When he finished high school, he immediately enlisted in the Air Force. After some training, he was sent to Germany. As soon as his duty was up, he returned to Wabasha where he worked on the railroad for about two years. In 1952, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He married Marie in 1959. In 1960, he volunteered for recruiting duty and they moved to Wisconsin Rapids. In 1968, he went to Vietnam as a flight operator, before resuming his recruiting duties. He retired from the military service in March, 1970 at 39 years of age, with 20 years of service. When he retired, he received an Army commendation medal for his service in Vietnam.

Bernard was a Boy Scout Cub master for about seven years, and helped form the independent baseball league in Wisconsin Rapids, which he coached for eleven years. He was a member of the VFW and past commander for twenty years. He was also a member of the American Legion. He was a secretary for the bowling league and the Rapids Twins director for two years. He had so many experiences throughout his life.

Unfortunately, Bernard died on December 26, 1981, at the age of 51, due to an illness called Agent Orange. Even though he is gone, he will still always be in our hearts and will never be forgotten. We are proud of all of our soldiers who have given their lives for our country.

Written by: Xia Khang, East Junior High School