Captain John McKenna, IV Park

Captain John McKenna, IV Park. .48 acres. , This site was acquired as parkland as part of the construction of the Prospect Expressway in the 1960s. Two bocce courts were installed in the mid-1970s and in the late 80s it was reconstructed as a sitting area. In 2018 volunteer efforts led by an Eagle Scout candidate from the local Boy Scout Troop included weed removal, plantings, installing new benches and a flagpole, sidewalk improvements and a complete spruce up. The site was named Captain John McKenna IV Park on September 8, 2018 for a local hero., John McKenna IV was born on March 17, 1976 and grew up two blocks away on East 2nd Street. He attended Immaculate Heart of Mary grammar school and Bishop Ford High School both a few blocks away. He earned the honor of Eagle Scout in Troop 14 and was very civic minded in the community. He studied in Vienna and earned a bachelor's degree in history from Binghamton University., In 1998, he accepted a commission in the United States Marine Corps as a second lieutenant and was assigned to the 2nd Marine Air Wing, where he served with distinction to include tours in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. His honors include the Silver Star, the Purple heart, the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal; the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal; the Global War on Terror Service Medal, Naval Meritorious Unit Commendation; National Defense Service Medal: Combat Action Ribbon; Iraq Campaign Medal Armed Forces Reserve Medal; Sea Service Deployment Medal. John became a New York State Trooper on August 8, 2005 and was ultimately assigned to the Kingston Barracks in Troop F while continuing service as a reserve officer in the United States Marine Corps., In February 2006 Captain McKenna's unit, Company B. 1st Battalion, 25th Marines, was called up for service for Duty in Iraq and while conducting combat operations in Fallujah on August 16, 2006, the unit came under heavy sniper fire. Lance Corporal Michael Glover was hit and mortally wounded and Captain McKenna was killed in action while trying to drag the lance corporal to safety. John was awarded the Silver Star for his heroic actions and his funeral was the largest in the history of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (the original church is immediately adjacent to this park)., The loss of this hero was mourned throughout the Marine Corps, the New York State Troopers and within his Windsor Terrace Community. This beautiful greenspace will serve as a restful oasis in this neighborhood and a tribute to his memory for years to come.