Friends with beer help remember decorated soldier

By Manuel C. "Manny" Correira
Posted 2/26/20

As someone was overheard saying during the annual 1 st SGT. P. Andrew McKenna Beer Tasting event last Wednesday night, “I’m sure Andrew is smiling down on all of us tonight.”

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Register to post events


If you'd like to post an event to our calendar, you can create a free account by clicking here.

Note that free accounts do not have access to our subscriber-only content.

Day pass subscribers

Are you a day pass subscriber who needs to log in? Click here to continue.


Friends with beer help remember decorated soldier

Posted

As someone was overheard saying during the annual 1st SGT. P. Andrew McKenna Beer Tasting event last Wednesday night, “I’m sure Andrew is smiling down on all of us tonight.”

Indeed, the jam-packed upstairs area at Aidan’s Pub was wall-to-wall with many of Andrew’s relatives and close friends in conjunction with the yearly fund-raising event, which once again, raised money for the scholarship which bears Andrew’s name.

The fifth annual McKenna Beer Tasting event was another huge success as many of Sgt. McKenna’s family and friends gathered to pay tribute to a man whose heroism has never been forgotten.

New to the Beer Tasting festivities was local singer and songwriter Tom Hanson, who quickly got into the swing of things.

“This was my first time performing,” he said. “And, I’m here to keep the party going.”

Early on, when people began to gather, they embraced each other, as committee members got food and beer ready for consumption. Commemorative T-shirts (designed by Impact Graphics) were also being sold, and everyone seemed to be in a happy frame of mind.

First Sgt. P. Andrew McKenna, 35, a highly-decorated war hero, was a Green Beret from Bristol, killed in action on Aug. 7, 2015, in Kabul, Afghanistan while defending Camp Integrity. Andrew served active duty for 17 years, and was a member of the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) since 2003, based in Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. He completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2002, and was assigned to 7th Group as a communications sergeant in May 2003.

A lifelong Bristolian, Andrew, the son of Peter A. and Carol A. (Fennell) McKenna of Bristol, entered the Army in 1998, after graduating from Mt. Hope High School. He also earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Norwich University. Just prior to his death, Andrew was honored by the Bristol Fourth of July Committee as the farthest traveler for the Bristol Fourth of July Celebration in 2015.

Thanks to the generosity of Aidan’s Pub, which donated its upstairs room, staff, food and beer, the event attracted another standing-room-only crowd.

The evening’s activities included a 5 oz. tasting glass with event logo to keep; beer from Grey Sail Brewing of Rhode Island, Narragansett Beer, Proclamation Ale Co., and Sons of Liberty Spirits; a variety of tasty food; and live entertainment by Tom Hanson. There was also a raffle.

2024 by East Bay Media Group

Barrington · Bristol · East Providence · Little Compton · Portsmouth · Tiverton · Warren · Westport
Meet our staff
MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.