NOBLE, OK, U.S.A. U.S. ARMY SSG,CO D, 204TH BDE SUPPORT BN, 2ND BCT, FORT CARSON, CO 02/21/2012, Kandahar, Afghanistan
SSG McKenna was born on July 17, 1983 in Oklahoma City, OK.
Robby, as he was known in school, grew up in the Norman, Purcell and Noble areas and graduated from Noble High School in 2002 where he met his wife, Lindsey. They have three children.
“Being a father was so important to Robby. He was the best dad ever!” Robby delighted folks around him with his singing talent and the songs he wrote himself.
SSG McKenna’s mother, Connie Mitchell, said her son was an avid outdoors man and very adventurous as a child.
“If he fished or hunted any kind of animal, he cooked it himself on a campsite. If he was your friend, it was a friend for life.”
The military was a natural choice for SSG McKenna. “He had his clothes ironed by 5 a.m. That boy loved it,” added Connie Mitchell. “He just always had a love for the military, the discipline and the way they hold their head high.” He took college courses to advance his military career.
Robby was stationed in Alaska his first 6 years of military service. He worked as a Petroleum Specialist and only returned home to Oklahoma in 2011. Robby was serving his 3rd tour of duty overseas as a Squad Leader. Connie Mitchell said she looked forward to getting calls from her son while he was in Afghanistan.
“I learned very quick when a phone call came in at 3 a.m. to jump up and answer it. He would call and play his guitar and sing me a song he had written.”