Bernadette Wilkinson is a devoted wife and mother of five grown children, whom she thanks God for every day. Her life changed forever on August 31, 2025, when her second child, Captain Matthew Wilkinson, a drone pilot with the U.S. Air Force’s 3rd Special Operations Squadron, died by suicide. Matthew was supposed to come home for good that October. He should still be here. His death devastated Bernadette and her family, but the circumstances surrounding his loss also ignited a determination in her that will never fade. Bernadette often says that while she lost one child that day, she gained thousands more—men and women in our military whom she will fight for in Matthew’s memory. She is committed to advocating for meaningful change, greater awareness, and better support for those who serve. For Bernadette, this is more than a cause. It is a promise to her son. Before raising her family, Bernadette spent 20 years in the banking industry. She later became a stay-at-home mother and, as her children grew older, worked part-time as a receptionist for Abington Township for three years. Throughout her children’s school years, Bernadette dedicated countless hours to volunteering and community leadership. At Our Lady Help of Christians, she served two years as Treasurer of the Home and School Board and continued serving as a committee member. At Good Shepherd, she served one year as Vice President and one year as President of the Home and School, as well as three years on the school’s Advisory Board. When her youngest child attended Archbishop Wood, Bernadette served as President of the Home and School for two years and volunteered with the school’s Scrip program for 15 years. Service to the military and law enforcement communities is deeply personal to Bernadette. She is the daughter of a retired Philadelphia detective who served for 28 years, and many of her family members and close friends have careers in law enforcement. Her son Danny is also preparing to enter the police force after completing his degree. Bernadette has long been an outspoken supporter of law enforcement. She organized two rallies in support of police officers—one in January 2014 in recognition of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and another in May 2015 during National Police Week. Her “Blue Family” and military family hold a special place in her heart. Today, Bernadette carries Matthew’s memory with her in everything she does. She cannot change what happened on August 31, 2025, but she is determined to help change what happens to someone else’s son, daughter, spouse, parent, brother, sister, or friend. Matthew should be here. And in his honor, Bernadette intends to fight for change so that other families do not have to experience the loss her family has endured.