(The following is a press release from Veterans' Agent Brian Stearns.)

Captain Thom Kenney arrived home after nearly 14 months of having served as Chief of Civil Military Operations in Wardak Province, Afghanistan.

During the course of his deployment, CPT Kenney served with the 3-89 Cavalry Squadron of the 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division and the 4/1 Field Artillery Battalion of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division. CPT Kenney was responsible for developing capacity within the government of Afghanistan and worked to create positive relationships between coalition forces and the local populace. He oversaw nearly $15 million in development projects including medical clinics, bridges and schools along with mentoring Afghan officials at the Provincial and District level. 

Kenney earned the Bronze Star Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, the NATO medal, and a Department of State Meritorious Honor Medal during his activation. He was also awarded the Combat Action Badge and combat spurs, earned during his first two weeks on the ground.

Kenney is an 18-year veteran of the Army Reserves and National Guard, and a resident of Sudbury where his wife, Carrie, teaches at Curtis Middle School.

He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and is a member of the 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion out of Newport, R.I.

Kenney also supplied blog posts to Sudbury Patch while serving in Afghanistan, sharing his experiences and stories to Sudbury residents.

(Sudbury Patch editor Robert Fucci contributed to this press release.)