Benefit Honors Fallen Lindenhurst Vet

A benefit was held on Saturday, June 29 at Fireman's Park Pavilion to honor fallen army veteran Sgt. Bill McKenna.

The second-annual benefit, which helped raise money for the Sgt. Bill McKenna Foundation, helps raise awareness of a rare form of T-cell lymphoma cancer that McKenna contracted after being exposed to burn-pits while deployed in Iraq over two deployments.

The burn pits were used to destroy items including medical waste, rubber, plastics and more and jet fuel is used to ignite the high-temperature fires.

McKenna's widow, Dina, told News 12 Long Island that her husband would write home about the pits often, noting their distinct smell and asked his family to send him candies and gum to help rid himself of the taste left in his mouth.

The foundation named in his honor helps veterans with a wide range of services, including those exposed to the same pits as McKenna.