Staff Sgt. Aaron M. Kenefick

Staff Sgt. Aaron M. Kenefick, 30, of Roswell, Ga died Sept. 8 while supporting combat operations in Kunar province, Afghanistan Staff Sgt. Kenefick was assigned to 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan

Staff Sgt. Aaron M. Kenefick was wounded, but he kept on fighting. Enlarge photo After graduating from Roswell High School, Aaron M. Kenefick spent 12 years in the Marines. Family photo After graduating from Roswell High School, Aaron M. Kenefick spent 12 years in the Marines. Related Metro stories » * Judges volunteer for furlough * Teen hit by car in SE Atlanta * Grief, anger follow fatal
 chase * Repaving resumes on Connector “He was injured, and he had to fight one last time. He went right back out,” said his sister, Jade Myszka. “That’s just the person he was.” Kenefick, 30, recently received a Purple Heart after he was injured by shrapnel. But he went back into combat. Earlier this week, he was one of two men with Georgia ties killed in Afghanistan.Marine Gunnery Sgt. Edwin W. Johnson Jr., 31, of Columbus, was also killed on the same day. They were assigned to 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan. Myszka said she talked to her brother, Kenefick, the day before he died. Now, she and sister Jaque are finalizing the arrangements for their big brother’s funeral. “He told me he loved me and he told me about his injuries and not to worry,”

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Marine Saluting Courtesy Sgt Michal S. Williams

Myszka said. “I’m very grateful I had the opportunity to hear his voice one last time.” Kenefick graduated from Roswell High School in 1997 after moving there as a 10th grader when he and his mother moved from Williamsville, N.Y. He joined the Marine Corps after high school. Kenefick did not brag about his achievements and numerous missions.Friends and family were drawn to him because of his sense of humor. “He was a very comical person, yet sensitive and knew how to be strong when he needed to be,” Myszka said. Last year, Kenefick and a high school girlfriend, Kerry Crosby, had reunited. Despite Kenefick being stationed in far away war zones, he was constantly in touch with his family, and Crosby. This week, Kenefick’s parents, Donnie Kenefict and Susan Price, traveled to Dover, Del., where his body arrived. His sisters helped plan his funeral, and shared his story repeatedly with others. Myszka said she wants others to know just how dedicated her brother was to his mission. “He was a hero.”





FORGOTTEN WARRIOR
He lives alone In the hills and the trees
He bares his soul To the cool mountain breeze
He talks to the Spirit He listens to the Wind
They shield him from memories Buried deep within
The world has forgotten The sacrifice he made
The scars he bears remind him Of the high price he paid
Freedom is not given But with blood it has been bought
By warriors such as he And by the wars they fought
We can't forget our warriors Or let them die in vain
But with respect and honor We can help to ease their pain
Our Freedom will be taken If no one will defend
God bless our Forgotten Warriors Who live to fight again.
-Unknown-


God and the soldier all men adore
in times of trouble, but no more.
For when war is ended and all things righted,
God is neglected, the old soldier slighted.