Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Your name lives on. I attended MP School at Ft Gordon on the 12th of July 1966. Assigned to Company A,10th Battalion, 4th Training Brigade. Your name and service was revered during our training. We looked forward to working McKenna Gate in your honor.God Bless you and your family. An Ex-MP brother.

Sp4 W.E. Tommy Thompson
Ret.Dep.Douglas County Sheriff Off

July 13, 2009

The funeral line was long, There's an awful lot of cars, Folks came out of the restaurants, They came out of the bars.
The workers at the construction sites All let their hammers drop. Someone asked. "What is this all for?" And they said, "Aw, just a cop."
Some chuckled at the passing cars. Some shed a silent tear Some people said, "It's stupid," "all these dumb policemen here."
"How come they are not out fighting crime?" "Or in a doughnut shop?" Sure is a lot of trouble, For someone who's just a cop."
They blocked the intersections, They blocked the interstate. People yelled and cursed, "Damn, it's gonna make me late!"
"This is really ridiculous!" "They're makin' us all stop!" "It seems they are sure wastin' time, On someone who's just a cop."
Into the cemetery now, The slow procession comes, The woeful Taps are slowly played. There's loud salutes from guns.
The graveyard workers shake their heads "This service is a flop." "There's lots of good words wasted, On someone who's just a cop"
Yeah, just a cop to most folks. Did his duty every day. Trying to protect us, Till they took his life away.
And when he got to heaven, St. Peter put him at the top. An angel asked him, "Who was that?" And he said, "Aw, just a cop."
His Judgment Day:
The officer stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shinning, Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, Officer, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek To my church have you been true?"
The officer squared his shoulder and said, "No, Lord, I guess I aint, Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was rough, And sometimes I've been violent Because the streets are tough.
But I never took a penny That wasn't mine to keep.. Though I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help Though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept an unmanly tear.
I know I don't deserve a place among the people here. They never wanted me around except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, But if you don't...I'll understand.
There was silence all around the throne, where the saints often trod. As the officer waited quietly for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, Officer. You've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on heaven's streets, You've done your time in hell"

May God be with everyone!!!!!!!!!

Motor officer Terry Pauley
Plano PD Plano, Tx

March 28, 2009

I've been participating in the Police Unity Tour for the last six years, which raises funds for the National Law Enforcement Officers Mem. in DC and since 2005, I've worn a bracelet from the memorial honoring PFC Robert McKenna. Like many others I served in the 140th MP Co. and had a two year association with McKenna Gate. I'd like to send the bracelet to a PFC McKenna's family so they know that someone has been riding in his honor and remembering him. If a family member would like to contact me, please leave a message here.

Assistant Inspector General
US Congress

May 13, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND YOUR SERVICE, YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE. GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL THOSE THAT LOVE YOU.

Van Den Berghe
MANCHESTER, NH

February 13, 2008

Like you, Robert and so many others, I took MP AIT at Fort Gordon in 1972 and was stationed there, with the 140th, twice during my seven hear hitch. I thought of you often on my long shifts at YOUR gate and now I can put a face with a name that we all talked about very often. I thank you for your sacrifice and truly wish your family the peace of God. I am now a retired officer and Chief of Police but, it is young men and women just like you, that gave me the great respect for and determination to be in law enforcement. My prayers to your family and friends.

Chief Gary W. Willis
Linville Land Harbor, NC

Chief Gary W. Willis
Linville Land Harbor, NC Special Police

January 25, 2008

Officer McKenna, Just letting you know that you have not been forgotten and thank you for the Sacrifice that you gave.

Tammy Persin
Mother of Fallen Military Police Officer
PFC Brian Thomas Gleason
8/9/2000

July 9, 2007

PFC McKenna,
I was a dog handler stationed at Fort Gordon, GA from 2004-07 and was honored to carry out duties at the gate named in your honor. I attempt to tell your story of courage, bravery and sacrafice to young Military Police every chance I get. You are not forgotton.

Special Agent Sean McEntee
US Army Criminal Investigation Command

June 6, 2007

Private McKenna your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Care now. May your rest in peace brother...God Bless !!

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee

March 22, 2006

P.F.C. McKenna,
I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

February 22, 2006

I was a young MP in the 140th from 1967-1969 and spent 12 hr shifts on the gate named in your honor. I revered your name then and never forgot it. Great to see your name finally recognized at the NLOM. I'll be wearing your name band during my ride in the Police Unity Tour, Virg. chapt. this May. I'll leave your bracelet at your name on the wall for your family. Rest in peace.
Special Agent Ken Keeler
Office of Investigations, US Library of Congress, Washington, DC

Special Agent Ken Keeler
Office of Investigations, Library of Congress

February 14, 2005

I served with the 140th MP Company at Fort Gordon from 3-67 to 8-67, when I was sent to Vietnam. I often stood guard at Mckenna Gate, both at night and during daytime shifts. We always told the story of Bobby Mckenna, and the espirit de corp that his spirit brought us, always made us conscious of the danger of our work. Although he died a year before I showed up, his name is one of only a handful that I clearly remember and hold dear, as I age and remember my youth and all the possibilities that I had, and Bob did not. God Bless.

Robert
Burlington Veterans Services

June 4, 2004

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN. HOPE TO SEE YOUR NAME IN WASHINGTON IN 2002. THANKS TO THE PM AT FT. GORDON FOR HANDLING THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK.
THANKS TO ODMP FOR THIS POSTING IT'S GREATLY APPRECIATED.

CHIEF RON MCCLUSKEY
LOCKPORT TWP PARK POLICE

Hi Brother Bob,
It's been 36 years since you were called to higher order. It's been wonderful to have these websites so that we can continue to show our love for you. On October 14, this year, you would just be celebrating your 59th birhday. You left us much too soon but you are always in our hearts.
I remember well my visit to Fort Gordon in October 1965. You were so proud to be a Military Police Officer and we were all so proud of you. Unfortunately the younger brothers and sisters didn't get a chance to know you as well as I did, but your memory is still a great inspiration to us all.
We love you very much. Say hello to Daddy.
Your "little sister", Frannie

Fran Montore
McKenna Family

I never met PFC McKenna. I came in the US Army in 1980, and went to Basic Training and AIT at Fort Gordon GA. I was never told the story of the McKenna gate at the Fort. This is the first time I have heard of why it was named such. I did retire from the Army, and am now a Law Enforcement Officer in WA State. I just wanted to show my respect for a brave young man that served his country as a soldier, and a Law Enforcement Officer. I was only 3 years old when you died. God bless you son......we will talk about good times in the future. Rest in peace,
Deputy A. Adams #1P95
Thurston County Sheriffs Office WA

Deputy Anthony Adams
Thurston County Sheriffs Office