“Throughout the entire engagement, McKenna led from the front and inspired others with his heroic action.””

U.S. Army

A local hero will forever be immortalized in Bristol after Sgt. P. Andrew McKenna Park was dedicated on Hope Street Saturday.

Sgt. McKenna, a Bristol native, was killed in Afghanistan during an attack on Camp Integrity in Kabul in August 2015. His heroism defending the camp earned him the Silver Star. Sgt. McKenna’s cousin, Robert McKenna, memorialized Andrew during the ceremony Saturday. The following is is Mr. McKenna’s tribute to his cousin, including details of the attack that claimed Sgt. McKenna’s life.

It is my honor and privilege to tell you about 1st Sgt. Peter Andrew McKenna Jr. Andrew grew up in Bristol, graduating from Mt. Hope High School in June 1998 and entered the United States Army nearly one month later, fulfilling his lifelong dream.

After completing basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, Andrew reported to Fort Drum, NY, assigned to the 10th Mountain Division where he began to hone his skills as a soldier and a leader. Through commitment to his craft, he earned selection to the Special Forces qualification course, and in 2002 became a Green Beret.

Over nearly 18 years of active duty, Andrew completed one deployment to Iraq, sandwiched between five deployments to Afghanistan. It was during his first tour to Afghanistan, October 2004, that Andrew was awarded a Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device “V” for valor. His never-ending dedication to duty and exemplary efforts were recognized multiple times during his career, earning him tabs, ribbons and medals, including four bronze oak leaf clusters.

While assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Andrew was the 1st sergeant at Camp Integrity, Kabul, Afghanistan during his sixth deployment. His heroic actions there ensured the safety of over 300 people, for which he was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Silver Star, the third-highest military honor. I want to share with you what was reported in the Army’s narrative describing those actions:

“First Sergeant Peter A. McKenna distinguished himself by exceptional gallantry in the face of the enemy of the United States. On 7 August 2015, at approximately 2210 hours local, there was a complex attack initiated by a vehicle-bourns explosive device in front of Camp Integrity’s main entrance control point. The explosion resulted in a breach point at the southeast corner of the camp.

“Additional attackers, using small arms, grenades and suicide vests, made their way through the breach point in an effort to conduct as much damage on friendly forces as possible.

“Recognizing the threat to the camp and its personnel, First Sergeant McKenna immediately made his way toward the breached perimeter and engaged the threat. During the initial confusion of the attack, members of the quick reaction force were rallied by McKenna as he engaged the enemy and shouted commands from his position.

“Assessing the situation with poor radio communications as a factor, and knowing the breach point needed to be closed, McKenna visibly exposed himself from his position of safety in order to direct the QRF.

McKenna and QRF used effective fires to suppress the enemy and repel the initial attack. During the engagement, McKenna took shrapnel to his leg. Realizing the gates to the entrance control point were destroyed, McKenna directed the QRF to position an armored vehicle in the breach point.

McKenna denied treatment for his own injuries, and again, with great personal risk to himself, moved with another soldier toward the breach to repel any additional forces. During this engagement, First Sergeant McKenna was mortally wounded. Throughout the entire engagement, McKenna led from the front and inspired others with his heroic action.”

As many of you know, just barely one month before his noble act of heroism, Andrew was back home in Bristol while on leave from Afghanistan. During his visit, he was recognized for the longest travel home to the nation’s oldest Fourth of July celebration. A true patriot, he had returned to his hometown to celebrate with family and friends as he had done so many times over the years.

He was with us in person for the last time, but this recognition bestowed upon Andrew today will ensure that his legacy will remain in Bristol forever.

On behalf of my Aunt Carol and Uncle Pete, as well as the entire McKenna family, I extend our most heartfelt thanks to the Bristol Veterans Council and the town of Bristol for making this memorial a reality.

May God bless Andrew. May God bless our veterans. And may God bless the United States of America.