By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
Hundreds of mourners filled a Warren church and thousands lined the route to a cemetery in Bristol, as U.S. Army 1st Sergeant Peter Andrew McKenna, Jr. was laid to rest, following his combat death in Kabul, Afghanistan.
A Special Forces soldier, McKenna, 35, was killed in action August 7. His funeral was a celebration for family, friends and dignitaries who filled St. Mary of the Bay Church for a more than hour-long funeral mass, followed by burial with military honors at St. Mary Cemetery in his hometown in Bristol.
“The service was beautiful,” said Raymonde Fournier of Warren, who said she was a classmate of McKenna’s mother.
“Some beautiful words were spoken, it was very solemn and very sad,” Fournier said.
“We know the family, first of all, and my husband served for 30 years in the U.S. Army, so we know what it’s like to put to rest one of our own,” said Marie Burns of Bristol, who held an umbrella against the unrelenting sun outside the cemetery.
Several people had to be tended to by ambulance crews and other first responders due to the intense heat, in the 90 degree range.
