Bruce McKenty Honored at the Seahawks Season Opener
On Wednesday, September 9, the Seattle Seahawks opened the NFL season at Lumen Field against the New England Patriots. It was the only game played that day, and early in the third quarter the stadium stopped to honor one of American Lake's own: retired Army Lt. Col. Bruce McKenty, the course's general manager for fifteen years.
Bruce was the game's Salute to Service honoree.
What the stadium heard
As five photographs from Bruce's Army career and his years of community service filled the stadium's four big screens, the announcer read his story.
Bruce entered the Army in 1970 after graduating from Texas A&M University. After flight school, 1LT McKenty deployed to Vietnam, where he flew AH-1G Cobra attack helicopters. He was shot down once and wounded twice, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. He went on to serve another 20 years in command and staff assignments, including four years with the Field Artillery in Germany during the Cold War, and retired as a lieutenant colonel after 22 years of service.
He has kept serving since, through his leadership in the Purple Heart Foundation and at American Lake Veterans Golf Course. Bruce and his wife, Francine, live in Lakewood.
Four salutes
Wearing a blue number 12 jersey, Bruce walked out to the 15 yard line at the south end of the field, stood at attention and waved to the crowd. Then he saluted four times: north, east, south and west, his face on the big screens above a stadium lit by the evening sun. He left the field by the Seahawks sideline, where Francine, their son Nick and grandson Jackson were waiting to walk off with him.
"What a beautiful venue and absolutely electrifying experience. A totally enjoyable outing with my family. And what an honor to go before 70,000 screaming Seahawks fans, in all their glory. I've never experienced anything like that in my life and my family was just ecstatic the entire game and so proud of me."
Bruce McKenty
Bruce had nothing but praise for the Seahawks, who worked closely with him from the first day. "They do it right," he said. The team sent the family home happy, too. Seattle trailed 10 to 0 when Bruce walked out and came back to win 13 to 10.
Nineteen years at American Lake
Bruce started volunteering at American Lake in 2004 and served as general manager for fifteen years before retiring in 2024. In that time the course built its clubhouse and the Rehabilitation and Learning Center, renovated the front nine and opened the Jack Nicklaus designed back nine. He also founded the annual Purple Heart tournament. Francine volunteered beside him as the course's finance officer.
The recognition was for one man, but everyone who has played, volunteered or healed at American Lake had a share in it.
American Lake is built and run by volunteers. Come play it, or help keep it going.
