Beaufort’s Bernie Eveler, 85, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1953 in Columbia, Pa. After Boot Camp at Parris Island and Infantry training, he was assigned to embassy duty in Istanbul, where he met his wife, Dina. Next he served at Port Lyautey, Morocco, then returned stateside in 1960 at MCAS Beaufort. He next served as a Drill Instructor at PI, then off to the West Coast and Pendleton before his service at Da Nang, Vietnam in 1965. Returning from Vietnam, he trained Marine Reserves at Port Hueneme, Calif. He received an outstanding leadership commission in 1969 and transferred first to 29 Palms and later to Treasure Island, San Francisco, where he retired in 1973 as a Lieutenant. He served as a reserve Deputy Sheriff in Alameda County, Calif., for more than two decades. He and Dina retired to Lady’s Island in 2003. They have volunteered at the PI Museum and he remains active in local veteran’s organizations.
– Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 9. For nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
