Vietnam Veteran Finds Strength, Connection Through Prescott Meals on Wheels
For Vietnam veteran James Kenny, life has not always been easy—but it has always been meaningful. Behind his soft-spoken demeanor is a man of deep resilience, kindness, and a genuine desire to connect with others. Today, homebound due to medical conditions, James is one of nearly 360 neighbors served by Prescott Meals on Wheels. But his story is one that echoes the service, spirit, and strength of many in our community.
Born into a large family in Yuma, Arizona, James described his childhood as “rough.” Yet even in adversity, he found joy in baseball and football—sports that became outlets for both discipline and hope. In 1967, he was drafted into the United States Army, where he served in the infantry with the 1st Cavalry Division. Thirteen of his twenty-four months of service were spent conducting long-range reconnaissance patrols along the Ho Chi Minh trail in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, often alongside Australian forces.
When his tour ended, James turned down an offer to commission as an officer. Instead, he began what he described as a long journey of readjustment. Like many Vietnam veterans, he struggled with immense stress and periods of homelessness. Slowly, healing came through simple joys—hiking, playing cards with friends, and eventually remodeling his entire home in Prescott by hand.
“There’s an authenticity in his kindhearted nature,” said Client Service Coordinator, Keaton Lyon. “He’s not looking for pity. He’s looking to enjoy life for what it is—and share that with others.”
James often visited the Adult Center on Rosser Street, where he found community through dancing, social events, and meals at the Café on Rosser. But as his medical challenges progressed, he could no longer leave home. Today, he receives home-delivered meals through Prescott Meals on Wheels, a service he describes as uplifting both physically and emotionally.
“The meals build up my spirits,” James said. “I really enjoy the drivers and their company through the weekdays.”
Prescott Meals on Wheels delivers more than food. It delivers comfort, connection, and dignity. The organization’s vision is “to live in a community without hunger, isolation, and loneliness.” For clients like James, that vision is not abstract—it’s personal.
“What keeps me going is curiosity,” James said. “And I just keep trying to do what I’m supposed to do.”
His words are a reminder that service doesn’t end with a uniform. It continues through daily perseverance, community connection, and the strength it takes to ask for help—and to receive it with grace.
Prescott Meals on Wheels serves hundreds of homebound seniors throughout Prescott and Prescott Valley. For James Kenny and many like him, a knock at the door is not just the arrival of a meal. It’s the arrival of hope.
This summer, Prescott Meals on Wheels has launched its first-ever Annual Appeal to raise critical funds and ensure programs like these continue reaching veterans, seniors, and homebound neighbors who need them most.
