Story last updated 5:50 p.m. April 6, 2005

By: Tatia Harris | Oak Ridger Staff

'Stephen was loving, dependable and strong,' Tiffany Kennedy told reporters at her Oak Ridge home Wednesday afternoon.

'No matter what he decided to do, he would always be a hero to me and the children.'

Staff Sgt. Stephen Kennedy of Oak Ridge was killed in action Monday while on patrol near Balad Ruz, Iraq. On what would have been his 36th birthday, family members talked with several members of the media about the man and his life.

'It's just hard for me to explain my feelings,' Tiffany Kennedy said. 'I'm just trying to get through it.'

The staff sergeant was a member of Lenoir City's Company D, 1st Squadron, of the 278th Regimental Combat Team. An 11-year military veteran, Kennedy joined the Tennessee Army National Guard in 1998.

Since then, he had served with the Lenoir City unit and was assigned just over a year ago as one of the unit's full-time non-commissioned officers.

Additionally, Staff Sgt. Kennedy had four years prior service with the Marine Corps, where he participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Tiffany Kennedy said she was first notified of her husband's death Monday evening.

'My first thought was, 'Oh, God. Why Stephen?',' she said.

Kennedy is the father of four children. His wife said the staff sergeant 'loved his job, loved his country and loved his family.'

A memorial fund has been set up in Stephen Kennedy's honor. Donations may be made to: Stephen C. Kennedy Memorial Fund, c/o ORNL Federal Credit Union, PO Box 365, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0365.

For more information on Kennedy's family's comments, please see Thursday's edition of The Oak Ridger.

Reporter Tatia Harris can be contacted at (865) 220-5533.

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