Bob Lucas’s speech at Kenny’s Memorial

I want to thank “Winds of Change” for volunteering to provide

us with a prelude of inspiring patriotic music.

My name is Bob Lucas – my parents moved here to Bay Village in 1948 giving me the wonderful opportunity to grow up here and be a member of the Bay High Class of 1965.

After completing college I went on to serve our country as a Marine Officer in Vietnam.  On my last mission, I was severely wounded and was very fortunate to return home alive!

Now, as my class celebrates our 45th Reunion this weekend, we were determined that, during the course of our reunion activities, we would pause for a very special memorial ceremony to HONOR THE FALLEN and specifically one brave, patriotic, and determined young man …….

Kenton Elwood Henninger—Most of us knew him as Kenny.

He was our classmate and friend—cousin and comrade in battle—

Born Sept 19, 1947 – killed in action in combat in Vietnam March 7, 1969.  Kenny was only 21 years old.

When drafted into the Army in 1968, Kenny did not run to Canada or look for ways to dodge the draft.

He stepped forward to serve his country. And he became the best soldier he knew how to be – an expert rifleman and machine gunner – a rare combination for any soldier or marine –

When ordered to Vietnam, Kenny once again served with distinction.  He never turned down a mission.

He accepted every opportunity to be a leader among his peers – He was looked up to and admired by all who served with him. 

He became the kind of combat soldier that his fellow soldiers wanted to stay close to, because they knew that his combat experience, his courage, his leadership and poise under fire could, literally, save their lives.

Kenny believed in the cause he was fighting for.  He wanted to take a stand against the evils of Communism.

He wanted to fight for freedom and liberty for the people of South Vietnam.  And fight he did – with great courage and gallantry.

On March 7th, 1969, when Kenny was killed in action in combat in Vietnam, I believe he joined a very select group of young American men who over our nation’s 234-year history, have given their lives for the cause of freedom.

The Bible speaks of a great cloud of witnesses, heroes, testifiers to freedom who have gone before us. 

I believe that these words can be applied to our nation’s history and the fine young American men who gave their lives for the cause of freedom.

As we look upon our nation’s 234-year history, indeed there is a great cloud of witnesses consisting mainly of young American men who died for freedom’s noble cause.

Kenny is a member of this very select group – WHOSE MEMBERS were there at Lexington and Concord when the shot was fired that was heard ‘round the world’ at the onset of the Revolutionary War.

They were there with Andrew Jackson in the victory in New Orleans during the War of 1812………

They were there at the Alamo fighting to the last man in 1836.

They were there in Mexico City storming the Halls of Montezuma during the Mexican War……….

They were there holding the line at Gettysburg against 13,000 charging Confederates  under General Pickett’s command……….

They were there with Teddy Roosevelt charging up San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War……….

They were there at  Verdun and at Belleau Wood earning the name ‘Devil Dogs ’in WW I and they were there storming the beaches of Normandy on  D-Day and raising the flag on Iwo Jima in WW II ..........

They were there in Korea at Inchon and at the Chosin reservoir to become henceforth known as the “Frozen Chosen”……..

They were there at Khe Sanh and Hue and in the Chu Prong mountain area with Kenny in Vietnam………

And they were there in the Gulf War…and now in present day Iraq and Afghanistan –Yes indeed, a great cloud of witnesses – heroes – testifiers to freedom who were willing to sacrifice their young lives for their beloved country – The United States of America.

Kenny indeed has taken his rightful place among this very select group of fine young American heroes without whom we would not be enjoying the priceless freedoms we so easily take for granted every day;  …   Purchased with so great a price.

Now it is for us, the living, to passionately embrace our citizenship –

To take a stand for what is good, for what is right and for what is in the best interest of the future of our country – a country whose founders pledged their lives, fortunes and their sacred honor –a  country whose foundation was based on the bedrock values of the  Bible – The United States of America—without question the greatest country in all of time to exist on the face of our planet.

As we reflect on the values that made our country so great, may we make our voices heard – and may we call upon our God in prayer – that He may bring forth a great awakening across this land that we may no longer drift away from God, but rather return to Him and once again embrace the Judeo-Christian values upon which our great Nation was founded.

In doing this, we honor the memory of all our fallen heroes, but especially on this day, we honor the memory of Kenny, his life, his sacrifice, his legacy.

Kenton Elwood Henninger, our classmate, our friend, cousin, comrade in battle – A TRUE AMERICAN HERO!

Will you stand with me now for the posting of the colors by American Legion Post 211 followed by “Winds of Change” leading us in our National Anthem…

Our classmate, Ed Broestl, has joined us today – he is a retired Air Force Lt Col and a Vietnam veteran. 

Presently, he is a  Deacon with the Faith Community Lutheran Church in Longmont, Colorado – He will now come and lead us in a word of prayer…….

We are truly honored to have the Mayor with us today –

                     The Honorable Deborah Sutherland

She will now come and share some of her thoughts and memories of our Vietnam veterans.

We want to thank Congressman Dennis Kucinich for joining us today.

I will now read Kenny’s Silver Star Citation – our Nation’s third highest award – given only for a single act of gallantry in extreme combat conditions.

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Please now pause with me for a moment of SILENCE

We are so very honored to have 10 members of Kenny’s Cacti regiment with us today –

Rick Strawn – Kenny’s Platoon Sergeant and

Pat O’Connor—Kenny’s Platoon Leader will now come and share some of their experiences while serving with Kenny as well as introduce their fellow members.

I will now ask Bill Papenbrock – Kenny’s cousin, to step forward and receive on behalf of the Bay High class of 1965 – A complete duplicate  set of Kenny’s medals.

Our classmate, Tom Phillips, is with us today – he is Treasurer of the Bay Village Historical Society, so it is very much fitting and proper that we should present him with Kenny’s original medals, along with a plaque of his Silver Star Citation and the American flag that was flown over our Nation’s Capitol.

(We thank Ann Snider Ryun and her husband, Jim, for providing this flag in honor of Kenny.)

The Bay High Class of 1965 also wants to extend our thanks and appreciation to the President of the Historical Society, Carole Roske.

Our classmate, Bob Hasello, was a very close friend of Kenny’s. And, he is married to one of our classmates, Jan Kennedy.

Bob will now share some of his thoughts and memories of what it was like growing up with Kenny –

Our classmate, Ed Broestl, will now come and offer a benediction.

Beginning of Traditional Military Honors

We now ask that all our veterans present here today from the Bay High Class of 1965 come forward and stand behind our bugler, and fellow classmate, Dick Hauzer……….

CONCLUDING REMARKS

On behalf of the Bay High Class of 1965, we want to offer a heartfelt  thank you to everyone who participated in this very special memorial ceremony today.

We want to thank the American Legion Post 211 from Avon Lake. And their Commander John Shondel.

We want to thank “The Winds of Change” as well as our bagpiper Larry Shepherd. Also, a big thank you to our classmate and bugler, Dick Hauzer.

We also want to thank so many of our classmates from the Bay High Class of 1965 who made this ceremony possible

We thank __Roger GutSchmidt___ for providing the dove that flew for Kenny today.

Paul Hartranft/ Class of ’64 and the Bay Village Volunteer Police for their help today.

Scott Engel/ Class of ’70 for providing our sound system.

Mayor Debbie Sutherland (class of _72_) and City Council for all their support.

The Bay Historical Society for all their efforts to support this ceremony

Most of all, we want to thank our fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our great Country – may we forever honor them for all they stood for and fought for with such bravery and distinction.

On behalf of the Bay High Class of 1965, thank you once again

for joining with us today for this ceremony honoring the

short-lived life of a young man who was a true American hero.

Freedom indeed comes with a high price and Kenton Elwood Henninger paid that price for all of us….

Once again we thank you all for being with us today --- May God Bless You  and May God Bless the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!!