Family, friends and the Parkwood community came together on Saturday, Veterans Day, for a special tribute for Spc. Devin J. Kuhn, a U.S. Army Ranger with the 2nd Battalion, who died in 2018.
Devin was a graduate of St. Anselm Elementary School and Archbishop Ryan High (class of 2013) who died in a training accident at Camp Rilea in Oregon, when another soldier’s gun inadvertently fired while that soldier was practicing loading a firearm. At the time, Devin was preparing for his second deployment to Afghanistan. His death came three days after his 24th birthday and 32 days after his wedding.
On Saturday, a mural was unveiled in memory of Devin on the side of the Parkwood Youth Organization building. The mural features an image of Devin in uniform, with an American flag in the background.
Devin’s widow Brittany and parents Jim and Lynn were in attendance. His sister, Sara, lives in Idaho and was unable to attend.
“We miss him terribly,” Jim Kuhn said.
Kuhn said his son proudly wore the tan beret of the 75th Ranger Regiment.
“Devin strived to be a humble professional,” he said.
Kuhn said Rangers lead the way, pointing to this stanza in their creed: “Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission, though I be the lone survivor.”
“That speaks volumes of the men and women they are,” Kuhn said.
Artist Sharisma Herrmann created the mural. Devin is also honored with a banner, courtesy of the Upper Holmesburg Civic Association, that flies at Frankford and Linden avenues.
Among those on hand at the mural unveiling were City Councilman Brian O’Neill, state Rep. Martina White and state Sen. Jim Dillon. The event also featured a bagpiper from the Philadelphia Police and Fire Pipes and Drums, and all were invited to take a “fallen hero” bracelet.
O’Neill presented a citation and described Devin as a “hero.”
“Devin was the elite of the elite,” he said.
White, who also presented a citation, described Devin as highly dedicated, kind, generous, a young man of character and an “all-around good person.”
Dillon called Devin a “hometown hero” who served with that “special brand of Parkwood grit and determination.” Dillon announced that, in the spring, the portion of Academy Road outside Ryan will be renamed the Devin J. Kuhn Memorial Highway. ••
