After our limousine passed the gates of Arlington Cemetery, I looked to my left and saw two parents visiting their son or daughter. They sat on park benches in front of the grave. It wasn’t the formation of the “missing people” plane flying over my head that made me cry. It wasn’t the horse-drawn coffin that disappeared behind the silhouettes of the trees that made me sad. People with guns, shooting into the sky as a salute, started to haunt me. It was the sacrifice, and the pain of loss that made me sad. All these men and women around me gave their lives for this country. I am sad for the parents, their wives and children. My father was old when he died. He lived a long and successful life. Most of the soldiers buried in Arlington did not have the same opportunity. This is what my father would have communicated, if he were there.
Charles Bernard Kenning, Lawyer was buried at Arlington Cemetery with full military honors in February 2009. He was steadfast, unyielding and strong. He will remind us that freedom is always at stake; he will ask you to respect the law.
Lesser lawyers learn to isolate, manipulate, and distort truth; however, Charles Kenning believed that there was really no compromise. Our Founding Fathers fought against tyranny with truth, values, compassion and the rule of law. He believes that these people created the greatest Democracy in history. Our Founding Fathers, were intelligent people. Many of them were not only statesmen, but university presidents, lawyers, and fathers.
They study, seek and fight for ideals such as justice and individual freedom and human dignity. It is this history that carved the United States out of the world. It is this framework that creates people who have the power to choose, work, and speak freely in their pursuit of happiness. Charles Kenning would ask us not to let the pope blind us with untruths, taxes, misinterpretations of the law. Unpaid bills, and rewritten rules that will lead our children into an era of economic, political and social slavery.
This message is consistent with his actions. Charles B. Kenning was shot down in Germany on his 23rd mission in 1944. In the prison camp he was concerned about American rights, and explained the Geneva Conventions to his captors. All that was left to guard his camp, at that point in his war experience, were frightened young Germans with big guns. My father is lucky to speak German.
Like our ancestors, Charles Kenning fought for democracy and individual rights. While leaving the prison camp, “Life Magazine” captured and published pictures of the events that marked his disappearance. Stick in hand, he tore up the Nazi flag. It was this image that reminded his mother, who was thousands of miles away—her son was still alive. In full spirit, he went home. Sonny-boy, as Nana calls him, will tell you that we must respect, maintain and respect our legal conventions and constitution.
Charles B. Kenning graduated from Georgetown University and passed several bar exams offered around the DC beltway shortly thereafter. The screws drilled through his legs to support his ankles, during the war, did not hinder his forward momentum. It is this persistence with which he approaches his love of freedom. In life, his spirit is not hindered. In sickness and near death, he did not complain.
Charles B. Kenning is a collector. He collects cars, boats, and books. Few people know that he owns every law book the West Publishing Company has ever produced. They meticulously fill the thousands of square feet of our home law library. As a teenager, I remember learning that this was weird. Friends come to play, and then they come back in groups to tour the library, and shop for snacks. I soon learned never to invite anyone into that part of the house. I don’t want to be different; every other house in Pittsford is not built on the foundations that reflect an underground city equipped with libraries, and shelters full of food.
In college, my sister and I started calling this part of our house “Chuck’s-Mart.” The price was right, after all. Anyone can find free books, or feed the entire hostel if necessary. There is no need for a special blue light in Old Farm Circle. He never noticed the missing books or groceries. The unwashed and hungry mob that passed by our door appreciated this omission.
When my father became disabled, his beloved library was moved to Albany, New York, and became a better part of the law library for students. He wanted to join them to study. After law school, he taught Law at John Fisher College. He is the type of teacher who wants his students to read and actively debate issues. However, when arguing with Charles Kenning, you’d better get the facts straight. He is not an easy teacher.
If Professor Kenning were alive today, he would ask students to read the bill proposed by Congress. He will invite his students to actively debate issues. He wanted the position of precedence and contrast to be justified. Professor Kenning will be let down by the government, and those who read. Members of Congress, who did not read the proposed bill, were equally astounded. He’s not a person who likes to compromise, or someone who goes easy.
I can imagine Mr. Kenning said something like; “Some advocates of rewriting and the making of new laws have learned that, in chaos, there is opportunity. But in true freedom, there is only the rule of law.” My father would say that the truth cannot be covered in proposed bills and in revisionist history. Our history is clear, our founders are direct and our agenda as a people is predetermined. It is our duty, our right and our privilege to live in freedom and uphold the constitution. As leaders, we must uphold the high standards of our members of parliament, politicians and families.
Charles B. Kenning did not bury the truth to gain political power, popularity, fame, or financial gain. He is an American History student. who believe in the rule of law. He loved and respected the constitution very much. He will ask that you hope to protect your children and future generations with the same document. He never gave up on this belief.
My sister recounted the conversation she would have with her children. It will start as a question; “Are you doing your best?” If you answered “Yes”, there’s more to follow “… if that’s the best you can do, you’ve done enough.” He will then add a twist; “Now go help other people do it better”. He is immovable and stubborn.
