West Babylon Street Being Renamed for Fallen Iraqi Vet

Legislator Wayne Horsley and U.S. Congressman Tim Bishop will be at West Babylon High School to rename the thoroughfare in honor of Lindenhurst native Sgt. William McKenna, an Iraqi war veteran who lost a battle with cancer in December 2010.

The ceremony will begin at 10:30am outside of the high school in the parking lot on Great East Neck Road. Congressman Bishop will be giving a keynote address during the ceremony and Legislator Horsley will be hosting the ceremony. McKenna's wife Dina and two daughters are expected to be on hand for the ceremony.

McKenna lost his battle with Stage 4 Lymphoma in December 2010 at the age of 41. He had served two tours of duty in Iraqi after being compelled to enlist following the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. He was stationed at Balad Air Base in Iraqi where he was exposed to toxins released by burn pits which included tires, jet fuel, medical waste and munitions. The fumes released by these items and prolonged exposure caused McKenna to develop the rare form of cancer.

For more information on Sgt. McKenna, his fight against cancer and the burn pits, please visit the Sgt. Bill McKenna Foundation.