On Friday, March 6, a surprise party was held at the Old Scouts Veterans Memorial Center in White Shield for White Bear, who is retiring as Veterans Service Officer (VSO)

In her capacity as VSO in White Shield, White Bear’s work has included handling all the color guard appearances and organizing welcome home events for military members from the White Shield area.

In the U.S. military, White Bear served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1986-2008, retiring with the rank of gunnery sergeant (GySgt).

During the event for White Bear, Austin Gillette, a Vietnam veteran speaking on behalf of Marines, told the story of returning home when people were protesting the return of Vietnam veterans. He invited his unit to come to White Shield where he knew they would get a real welcome home. He said White Bear made sure they were welcome.

Submitted Photo Bernadette White Bear, front left, and her Marine family Mark Nolan, front right; Delores Wilkinson, back left, and Austin Gillette, back right, dance to an honor song for White Bear’s retirement as a Veterans Service Officer in White Shield Friday, March 6. Photo by Karen LoneFight.

Even since, his unit returns to White Shield, and with the community they honor the fallen.They go to the cemeteries with the veterans to say a prayer of thanks. There’s a 21-gun salute and TAPS is played. White Bear gives the command.

A number of other speakers took part in the event for White Bear on Friday, thanking her for her dedication to duty.

White Bear will continue as adjutant of the Joseph Young Hawk-Elmer Bear Post 253 in White Shield.

Submitted Photo Gerilyn Yellow Bird, left, president of the White Shield American Legion Post 253 Auxiliary, presents a monetary gift to Bernadette White Bear Friday, March 6. White Bear was honored for her retirement as Veterans Service officer in White Shield. Photo by Karen LoneFight.

Submitted Photo Fred Fox, left, East Segment representative to the MHA Nation business council, presents a satin star quilt to Bernadette White Bear Friday, March 6, to honor her for her service as Veterans Service Officer. Photo by Karen LoneFight.