Scholarship fundraiser remembers local hero

Beer dinner raises money for Sgt. P. Andrew McKenna, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund

EastBayRI.com ·

Dozens of locals raised a pint last week in memory of a local military hero, and in support of local students.

Many of the late First Sgt. P. Andrew McKenna’s closest friends and family gathered at Aidan’s Pub last Wednesday night to help raise funds for the P. Andrew McKenna Scholarship Fund. It was a great success all the way around, according to those in charge of the event.

“We hosted our second annual beer tasting at Aidan's, who generously donated their upstairs room, staff, and food for a beer dinner/tasting last Wednesday,“ said co-host Charlene Ferreira. “Narragansett Beer, Grey Sail Brewing, Harpoon Brewery and Samuel Adams all donated the beer.  Andrew loved his country, his beer, and his home state of Rhode Island. We wanted to keep this local and raise funds for the scholarship fund while also helping to promote Rhode Island business.

All profits from the beer dinner will benefit the First Sgt. P. Andrew McKenna, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, which helps local students afford to pay for college, Ms. Ferreira said.

“This scholarship was set up after Andrew passed by his friends and family,” she said. “Scholarships are awarded annually to graduating high school seniors moving on to a two- or four-year institution, or entering into a career in any branch of the U.S. military.”

First Sgt. P. Andrew McKenna, 35, a highly-decorated war hero, was a Green Beret from Bristol, killed in action on Aug. 7, 2015, in Kabul, Afghanistan, while defending Camp Integrity. Sgt. McKenna served in active duty for 17 years, and was a member of the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) since 2003, based in Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. He completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2002, and was assigned to 7th Group as a communications sergeant in May 2003.

A lifelong Bristolian, Sgt. McKenna, the son of Peter A. and Carol A. (Fennell) McKenna of Bristol, entered the Army in 1998, after graduating from Mt. Hope High School. He also earned a Bachelor’s degree from Norwich University. Just prior to his death, Sgt. McKenna was honored by the Bristol Fourth of July Committee as the farthest traveler for the Bristol Fourth of July Celebration in 2015.

“Andrew was a friend to many Bristol residents,” said Ms. Ferreira. “He was an American hero, and it was an honor to be his friend.”

Donations can be made to the 1SG P. Andrew McKenna Scholarship Fund at any Citizens Bank. For any questions or additional information, email 1sgpam@gmail.com.

Sgt. Andrew P. McKenna, Jr.