John J. McKenna IV wasn’t here to celebrate his 32nd birthday last month. But 500 people were.
The Binghamton University crew team put on the second annual John McKenna Memorial 5K Walk/Run on Saturday, March 15, to honor the fallen Marine. Campus and community members, alumni, McKenna’s family and even Baxter the Bearcat showed their support.
McKenna, who rowed with the team for four years until he graduated in 1998, had gone to help a mortally wounded Marine when he was killed by a sniper in Fallujah’s Anbar Province in Iraq on Aug. 16, 2006. He was single and did not have any children.
“The unfortunate circumstances behind the creation of this race has led to a wonderful outpouring of love, compassion and support for our crew, past and present,” said Michael Eichler, the chairman of the memorial 5K committee. “A few e-mails two years ago telling us about the passing of an alumnus named John became a beautiful event to memorialize our fellow rower and friend.”
The run, which was at Recreation Park in Binghamton’s West Side, raised about $8,000. Half of the proceeds went to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund and the John J. McKenna IV Scholarship care of the New York State Trooper Scholarship Fund. The other half went toward an eponymous boat for the crew team.
McKenna volunteered to serve again in Iraq after having already served in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan after Sept. 11 and also served a tour in Iraq during the initial invasion in 2003.
On Feb. 27, McKenna was posthumously awarded the State Senate Liberty Medal and the State Conspicuous Service Cross adding to his list of military awards. He was also a lifeguard, an Eagle Scout and a New York State Trooper.
Above, N.Y. State Troopers present the colors at the beginning of the 5K to help remember their fallen colleague.
—Robert Hadad-Zlokower