Bristol Post Office renamed in fallen soldier’s honor

By: Amanda Pitts

alpitts@abc6.com

@AmandaPittsTV

BRISTOL, R.I. (WLNE) — The United States Post Office in Bristol will now take on the name First Sergeant P. Andrew McKenna Jr. Post Office, in honor of the Bristol native who died in the line of duty in 2015.

The emotional ceremony drew hundreds to Hope Street on Sunday, as speakers took to the podium to honor the hometown hero.

"He was kind, he was compassionate, he wanted to help people all the time," said Sergeant McKenna’s mother, Carol McKenna.

After 17 years in the military, Sergeant McKenna lost his life at the age of 35 in Afghanistan while defending Camp Integrity. His sacrifice, ensuring the safety of 300 people in the camp.

"I’m just so, so proud of him, but I always was. And it’s just.. what everyone has done for him.. is incredible. I know Andrew is up there going, ‘I can’t believe you’re doing all this!’"

Sergeant McKenna earned five bronze stars as a Green Beret, but it was after his death when he was awarded the silver star and purple heart.

His friends and family saying during the ceremony that serving his country was all he ever wanted to do, and the post office renamed in his honor is fitting. The McKenna family said they’ve made countless visits over the years, awaiting letters from their son.

"When he went to boot camp, we got a letter almost every day, and we wrote a letter to him almost every day," said Carol McKenna.

His death rocked the Bristol community, but now, in the center of his hometown, on one of the most patriotic streets in America, his legacy will live on.

"It’ll live on in those soldiers, and it’ll live on in this building in your hometown," said General James McConville, Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army.

The post office is just one of seven in Rhode Island to be dedicated in someone’s honor.

(c) WLNE-TV 2018.