FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- More than 80 Soldiers from C Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment "Polar Bears," 2nd Brigade Combat Team "Commandos," have raised more than $6,500 for the Fisher House Foundation to honor a fallen former service member who left their company 15 years ago.
It has been more than 15 years since 1st Sgt. Peter Andrew McKenna Jr. walked through the company hallways, but his presence can still be felt by the men of "Charlie Rock."
McKenna was assigned to C Company from 1998 to 2001, until he was selected to serve with Special Operations in 2001.
"It really resonated with us that 16 years down the road, we were working with somebody who was in our company in the past, and it was really cool to think that we would cross paths with somebody from such a reputable group," said Sgt. Charles Carr, infantryman and Polar Bear Soldier, explaining his recent interaction with McKenna while serving in Afghanistan as part of Operation Resolute Support in 2015.
"He was so professional down range; he was always taking care of Soldiers," Carr said. "He looked at the whole camp as a big Family. He took care of us while we were there."
Carr continued to say that McKenna would always push Soldiers to do their best in all aspects of their life, whether it be physical and mental challenges or the pursuit of a college education.
McKenna's professionalism and dedication made him an inspirational leader whom Soldiers followed with confidence.
He died Aug. 7, 2015, in Kabul, Afghanistan, during a complex attack on a coalition facility.
"On the night of the attack, 1st Sgt. McKenna wasted no time putting on his kit (body armor) and heading to the point of the attack," Carr said. "Many people were in shock from the explosion, but seeing him move towards the gate, they followed his lead."
"Service members from various branches followed his lead and executed a counter-attack that saved numerous lives that night," he said.
Carr said McKenna's Family requested that any contributions in his honor be made to the Fisher House.
The Fisher House Foundation was created in 1990. The charity is best known for offering a network of comfort homes where Families can stay at no cost while their service member is receiving medical treatment. There are 71 Fisher Houses located on 24 military installations and near 29 Veterans Affairs medical centers. The homes are normally located within walking distance of the treatment facilities.
The foundation aims to eliminate stress caused by the financial burdens and uncertainty of living situations while supporting a service member undergoing treatment.
One way service members can help charities like the Fisher House is to donate to an annual fundraising campaign called the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). CFC is known to be the most inclusive workplace giving campaign in the world, with more than 20,000 participating nonprofit charitable organizations worldwide.
The campaign for contribution runs annually from Sep. 15 through Dec. 15. Military and federal Civilian Employees may donate to the charities of their choice through the campaign.
"It is important for Soldiers to contribute to the CFC campaign," said Capt. Zackary Froelich, company commander. "It is a great way to support a vast amount of charities and funds; many of them are organizations that aid the military and veterans."
With Soldiers contributing to charities throughout the CFC, some service members donated to help out their fellow Soldiers and their Families at the Fisher House.
"I am a true believer of good karma and helping out strangers," said Spc. Perry Accius, infantryman. "No matter what unit you are in, at the end of the day, we're all one team."
"The most I can do is give money to a foundation that helps people with medical conditions and will actually benefit from the Fisher House," said Pvt. Reginald Castillo, infantryman.
As the Charlie Rock Soldiers continued to raise money in honor of 1st Sgt. McKenna and other charities throughout the campaign, one company commander couldn't feel prouder of what his company has accomplished in a short amount of time.
"I felt extremely proud of the Soldiers in Charlie Company in their ability to raise over $6,500 in a short time for someone that the majority of them never met," Froelich said. "I was also very honored to be in command of individuals who take so much pride in their company and battalion. Many did not know 1st Sgt. McKenna personally, but they knew he was a Rock Soldier -- a Polar Bear -- and that was good enough for them to want to donate their hard-earned money."
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