Army Major Thomas Kennedy: ‘He Made Everyone a Life-Long Friend’

by KAMI KENNEDY

United States Army Major Thomas Kennedy was larger than life. His smile would light up a room and that is what he is often remembered for. “TK,” a nickname by his friends, never considered people he didn’t know as strangers. He had the unique ability to make one feel like they were life-long friends.

Tom was born on April 10, 1977 and grew up in New City, New York. He was the youngest of three boys. Sports played a big part in his life. Whether it was a friendly game of football in the neighborhood cul-de-sac, playing a round of golf with his dad and brothers, or engaging in a game of hockey for the Black Knights on the ice rink at West Point, Tom was a natural born leader.

Tom graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in June 2000. Upon graduation, he branched into field artillery and successfully completed ranger school at Ft. Benning, Georgia. After a tour in South Korea and one tour in Iraq, Tom met his wife, Kami, at his brother’s wedding in Atlanta, Georgia. After a second deployment to Iraq, Tom and Kami were married in May of 2008. They welcomed their twins, Maggie and Brody, in 2010 while stationed in West Point, NY, at the United States Military Academy.

At West Point, Tom served as a tactical officer which gave him the opportunity to mentor cadets during their four years at the Academy. Although tough, Tom was always fair, which in turn, earned him the respect not only from the cadets he mentored but also his peers and superiors.

Tom was such a great dad to Maggie and Brody. He would often take them into the barracks at night when checking on cadets or to the mess hall for lunch. He was so very proud of them. In June 2012, Tom and his family were stationed at Ft. Carson, Colorado. Shortly after their move, Tom deployed to Afghanistan with the 4th ID, 4th Brigade Combat Team, Headquarters, Headquarters Company. On August 8, 2012, while en route to a Provincial Governor’s meeting in Eastern Afghanistan, MAJ Thomas Kennedy and three others were killed by a Taliban suicide bomber.

As a decorated officer, Tom earned dozens of awards and service medals, including Bronze Star Medal (2), Purple Heart and Bronze Star Posthumous, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Army Commendation Medal (3), Army Achievement Medal (3), Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/Bronze Service Star, Iraq Campaign Medal w/Bronze Service Star (4), Combat Action Badge, Air Assault Badge, Parachutist Badge and Ranger Tab. In addition, the West Point Men’s Hockey Locker Room was dedicated and renamed the Major Thomas “TK” Kennedy Locker Room in his honor on January 27, 2018.

Shortly after his death, The MAJ Tom Kennedy Leadership and Learning Application Award was created at West Point. The award is given annually to a member of the Brigade Tactical Department who has made distinctive contributions over their tenure at West Point in honor of MAJ Kennedy.

Kami, along with Maggie and Brody, returned to her hometown of Atlanta shortly after Tom’s death.  Kami spends her time supporting several military charities that help other families that have lost a loved one while serving in the military.  For the past seven years, the Kennedy family has hosted the “TK” Memorial Golf Outing, Dinner and Silent Auction with all proceeds benefitting the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation.  This organization provides college scholarships and educational counseling to those who have lost a parent in active duty.

Although Maggie and Brody were just shy of their 2nd birthday when Tom was killed, they feel like they know him through all of the stories and memories friends, family, and colleagues have shared with them. Now as 9-year-olds and rising fourth graders, Maggie has developed a love for the game of golf while Brody has followed in his father’s footsteps as a member of a youth travel hockey team.

While Memorial Day is an important holiday to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, the Kennedy family and all those that loved him celebrate Tom’s legacy and all that he achieved in his 35 years.  Tom was so proud to be a soldier.  He is loved and missed every day by many.

This essay was featured in the May 24th edition of The Sunday Paper. The Sunday Paper inspires hearts and minds to rise above the noise. To get The Sunday Paper delivered to your inbox each Sunday morning for free, click here to subscribe.

KAMI KENNEDY

A graduate of the University of Georgia, Kami Kennedy currently resides in the Atlanta area where she spends her free time playing tennis, shuttling between the kids sports and cheering on her beloved Georgia Bulldogs.

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