The memory of one of Clifton Park’s own — described by those who knew him as a man of service, a Renaissance man and above all a hero — is now affixed on the town’s map as John J. McKenna IV Way, which envelopes a shopping plaza just off of Crescent Rd. near exit 8 of the Northway.
Members of the New York State Troopers, American Legion, Marine Corps League and New York Five Patriot Guard were in attendance at a Sunday, April 15, ceremony to designate the road, along with John’s father, John McKenna III, and his sister Allyson.
“It’s an opportunity to dedicate a street, which is a small token of remembrance for someone who sacrificed their life for all of us. Future generations will hopefully ask ‘Who was John McKenna?’ and this will be a good opportunity for future generations of the town here to speak about the sacrifice that he made. It’s a lasting remembrance of a true hero,” said Roy Kraus, a member of the American Legion in Halfmoon.
Captain McKenna, 30, was killed in action on Aug. 16, 2006 in Fallujah, Iraq when his unit came under a coordinated sniper attack. He was struck by sniper fire while tending to an injured comrade, Michael Glover. He was a platoon commander with Company B, 1st Battalion, 25th Marines and is buried at Saratoga National Cemetery.
“He received a Silver Star for ignoring the eminent peril from heavy incoming fire… He was completely exposed to enemy fire and calmly knelt next to the stricken Marine to assess his condition. As he began to drag the Marine to a covered position, Captain McKenna was hit by enemy fire and mortally wounded,” said supervisor Phil Barrett, reading from McKenna’s biography.
Barrett referred to McKenna as not only a Clifton Park hero, butan American hero as well.
McKenna was born in Brooklyn, when his parents lived until eight days after he was killed. They relocated to Clifton Park to be nearer to him and other family members.
McKenna started his military career when he accepted a commission with the Marine Corps in 1998 as a second lieutenant and was later assigned to the second Marine Air Wing where he served as part of Enduring Freedom, and later in Enduring Iraqi Freedom. In 2003 he left active military duty and perused a career with the New York State Police and was later stationed in Saratoga and Clifton Park with Troop G before receiving a permanent assignment with Troop F.
“In light of the ongoing war on terror, John felt compelled to continue his service to his country by joining Company F, Second Battalion, 25thMarines in Albany. … Captain McKenna’s unit was called up to serve in February2005 for duty in Iraq,” said Barrett.
Alan Atwell, a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge and “a friend to every veteran in the county” as described by Barrett, spoke to the crowd about McKenna’s service.
“My generation knew who the enemy were. They wore steel helmets, they had gray uniforms. We knew who our opponents were, but I cannot imagine what Captain McKenna and his generation are going through now. … We both fought for the same ideals,” said Atwell as he solemnly removed his cap in honor of McKenna.
George Randall of Ballston Spa wrote a poem, “You are not Forgotten,” which Town Board member Scott Hughes read in part.
“You are not forgotten and you will never be, for you have a special place within my heart though you’re far across the sea. I think of you and pray for you while you are serving there..,” read Hughes.
McKenna’s father, John McKenna III, spoke to the crowd and relayed his son’s sense of humor and commitment to serving others. He said their neighborhood back in Brooklyn was like “one big extended family.”
“John took that sense of community with him when he joined the Boy Scouts, where the beginnings of his sense of leadership skills and leading men began to develop. …All along the way, the thing that John (did) most was helping the community very much like all our first responders do today,” said McKenna.
McKenna wanted everybody to try to keep his son’s spirit alive, especially his spirit of enthusiasm and love of his country and his companions. He also told of a story when John was a teenager and his gym teacher wanted him to become a student athlete. Instead, he wanted to become a scholar warrior. As a result, he was dubbed Conan the Librarian.
Capt. McKenna expressed concern to his parents via phone calls from Iraq about what would happen if one of his men went down. The fallen man he attempted to help, Michael Glover, was one of his brothers, and his father said that’s why he helped him – not to be a hero.
“They had a different last name but they shared that one name –Marine. So we remember John, not because he was killed, or for the way he was killed. We think about him for the way he lived his life. A life full of joy, spirit, love of country, love for his fellow man. …. I believe John and all of the other first responders…their spirits are standing with us side by side just a breath away as we try to make this world a better place. Think of John in your prayers,” said McKenna.
This is not the first honor bestowed of McKenna. There is also a room at Albany International Airport dedicated to McKenna’s memory. The Captain John J. McKenna Courtesy Room is available to all active and veteran military as a place to relax, watch television or play video games.
