Today my walk was dedicated in honor of:
Marine GYSGT Aaron M. Kenefick, Age 30 of Roswell, GA.
KIA Sep. 8, 2009 Operation Enduring Freedom
Kenefick was assigned to 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.
He is buried in the Acacia Park Cemetery , Niagara County, NY.
Gunnery Sgt. Aaron Kenefick, 30, a native of Williamsville, New York.
In 10th grade, he moved to the Atlanta Georgia area with his mother and joined the Marine Corps after graduating from Roswell High School in 1998. In his twelve year career, he was twice named Marine of the Year. In 2001 he was stationed in Germany and for a few years served on humanitarian missions in Africa. He retunred to America and attended Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he graduated as a Distinquished Honor Graduate. Assigned then to Central Command in Tampa, Florida, he went several times to Iraq. Offered a desk job, Aaron would have nothing to do with it, he wanted to be out, teaching and supporting his men. His deep caring for his fellow soldiers earned him a Purple Heart a few days before his death. He took shrapnel during a fire-fight, and quickly asked the medics to get it out, he needed to be with his men. A quick sew job and he was back out. This was the kind of man he was, a leader, not a follower. Aaron was killed along with three other Marines in an ambush in Afghanistan on September 8, 2009 in the Kunar Province. Aaron was laid to rest next to his maternal grandfather, Stuart A. Price, in Acacia Park and Resthaven Memorial Gardens in North Tonawanda, New York. Aaron was promoted from Staff Sergeant to Gunnery Sergeant after his death.
We had a great 5.85 Mile walk this morning. We walked over by the Holiday Hills Lake and then up towards town and stopped by the War Memorial Park and then back. I want to thank my friend Robert for walking with us and also want to thank all those who honked, waved, and saluted in helping us honor this hero.
Gunnery Sgt. Aaron Kenefick will not be forgotten !
Thank you for Remembering my son and our family hero, 30 year old Marine Gunnery Sgt Aaron M. Kenefick…..He was a Marine for over 12 years of his life, like his grandfather before him, he embraced the struggles along with the glory and was proud and honored to be counted as the less than 1% of Americans who serve our great nation in uniform!