2020 -- H 7456

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LC004229

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

POSTHUMOUSLY HONORING FIRST SERGEANT PETER ANDREW MCKENNA ON

HAVING THE RHODE ISLAND CHAPTER #004 OF THE IRISH VETERANS

ASSOCIATION NAMED IN HIS HONOR

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Abney, Donovan, Mattiello, Azzinaro, and Shekarchi

     Date Introduced: February 05, 2020

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, The late Rhode Island hero Andrew McKenna was the descendant of mid-

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19th century Irish immigrants from Clogher, County Tyrone, Ireland, and was raised in Bristol.

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After graduating from Mt. Hope High School, he enlisted in the United States Army on July 24,

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1998, and for nearly eighteen years, he served our nation with bravery, honor and distinction

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before he perished on the battlefield; and

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     WHEREAS, Mr. McKenna completed five combat tours and had risen to the rank of First

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Sergeant. In 2015, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, at Camp

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Integrity in Afghanistan where he was killed in action on August 15, 2015, in Kabul, Afghanistan

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while deployed on his 6th combat tour. His heroic actions, while under enemy attack, protected

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and saved more than 300 people, and in recognition, First Sergeant McKenna was posthumously

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awarded the Purple Heart and the Silver Star, our Nation's third highest military honor; and

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     WHEREAS, First Sergeant McKenna had previously been awarded a Bronze Star with

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Combat Distinguishing Device 'V' for Valor for his heroic service during his first combat tour of

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duty in 2004, in Afghanistan. He also was awarded four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters during his

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distinguished military career; and

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     WHEREAS, A local group of Irish-American veterans and their friends have established

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a Rhode Island based Chapter of Irish Veterans to honor and celebrate Rhode Island veterans of

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Irish heritage. In a posthumous tribute in recognition of Andrew McKenna's valor, heroism and

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bravery in service to our nation, the chapter will be named the "First Sergeant P. Andrew

 

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McKenna Chapter #004 of the Irish Veterans Association"; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

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Providence Plantations hereby posthumously honors First Sergeant Peter Andrew McKenna on

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having the Rhode Island Chapter of the Irish Veterans Association named "First Sergeant P.

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Andrew McKenna Chapter #004 of the Irish Veterans Association" in recognition of his heroic

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service to our country; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Robert McKenna and Family, and the First

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Sergeant P. Andrew McKenna Chapter #004 of the Irish Veterans Association.

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LC004229

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