Golf tournament honors soldier

By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly will be there in the flesh, but the real hero will be in everyone’s memories.

Bay Ridge’s Marine Captain John McKenna, 30, who died in Iraq after being shot while coming to the aid of fallen comrade — and fellow Brooklynite — Lance Cpl. Michael Glover, will be honored with a charity golf tournament on Sept. 24.

McKenna sustained the fatal gunshot wound on Aug. 16 while conducting combat operations in Anbar province — Iraq’s Wild Wild West.

McKenna, the highest ranked Iraq War casualty in Brooklyn, was awarded the Silver Star for “gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.”

He had already served one tour in Iraq, joining the invasion at the very start. After a yearlong stint in the state police, he returned to active duty in Iraq, unable to sit idly by as more and more young men died.

“Without question, John is a true hero,” said Gov. Elliot Spitzer. “He courageously gave his life in service of others.”

All proceeds of the tournament will support the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, the NYS Trooper Foundation and the NYPD/NYFD Widows and Orphans Fund.

“This is a young man who didn’t have to go back to war — it was his choice to honor his country,” said family friend and charity organizer Ed Schloeman. “It was an honor to know a man of such outstanding character as Marine Captain John McKenna.”

The Captain John J. McKenna IV and L/Cpl Michael D. Glover 1st Annual Golf Tournament will be held on Sept. 24 at the Richmond County Country Club (135 Flagg Pl., in Staten Island). For information, call (718) 436-0021.


©2007 The Brooklyn Paper