Mr. and Mrs. Sonnenberg,

How can I possibly convey to you what an immense pleasure your son has brought into my life, and to everyone that he had ever been associated with.

Jean, you commented yesterday how you hope that this event and your family may influence others. That comment alone speaks volumes about yourself, your family and especially Sonny. Still not thinking of yourself, but of others. Thank you for those words; I am going to try and answer your comment.

In short, anyone who has ever met your family has already been influenced in a positive way. Your family is a strong close family, the kind that books are written about. Marv, a father was never a better role model to a son, you instilled the values and work ethic in Sonny that truly cannot be matched. Jean, as a boy can love his mother, there was no doubt how Kevin loved you. You were only able to see half of the man that you had raised, and what that man grew to be. I would like to give you my perspective of Kevin and the other half that you didn’t see, as often.

Sonny was none-the-less, one of the most influential people in my life! Period. People are sometimes defined by the friends that they have and who they hang out with. There isn’t a parent in America who wouldn’t be proud that their sons were friends with Sonny. A man who had the confidence of 20 men.

I’ve known Sonny for 16 years and he had a God given gift. You could help but like him. Being the button pusher, pot stirrer that he was, you just couldn’t help but love the guy. He thoroughly loved to push your buttons, and he would push hard . . . . Yet, he would always cackle and laugh in the end, only the way that Sonny could. How could you not like him? Button pusher – yes! But ever talk behind your back – never! I don’t recall Sonny being intentionally mean or malicious to anyone. He just had a true gift of kindness to everyone. Someone who would always protect your back.

Marv, Jean, your son did not have an enemy. He would do anything for anyone at any time. He was the friend that you always wanted with you.

There are very few men in this world like Kevin. It is a true testament to you and Marv, to have raised a son with the moral fiber, perseverance, and work ethic that Sonny had.

Sonny loved flying the F-16 and he was a very good pilot. Only a few pilots are chosen to become instructor pilots in the F-16 and Sonny was one of them. He was a very good pilot and a great instructor.

Kevin adamantly loved his church, he loved his family and even though he gave lots of grief to Vickie, Diana and Jennifer. And I’m willing to bet that you have endless stories of grief. It was definitely for fun, that’s just the kind of guy he was. You could always tell by the way he spoke of his family: He was proud to be a Sonnenberg, part of an enviously close knot family.

But what he truly loved the most was Lauren. Sonny loved Lauren and everyone knew it! I have never seen a happier man that I have in the last few years. And as tough as Sonny was on the outside, he wasn’t shy about his affection for Lauren. We in the squadroom would mercilessly try to tease him, get him to fight back about becoming a softy. But he would never fight back when teased about his, “princess”. He would only smile . . .   It is the only thing that he wouldn’t fight back about. Sure took the fun out of teasing him.  From the day he met Lauren, he was ridiculously happy. You couldn’t help but smile when the two of them were together. I have peace of heart knowing that Sonny was as happy a man can be while still on this Earth. I pray that someday my daughter may find a man who will love her the way Sonny cherished Lauren.

Most of us in this world are average people. Kevin was just not an average person! He left a lasting effect upon everyone that he ever met. When my son is older and can truly understand, I will tell him about Sonny, and the man that he was. And I hope my boy will be like him. You see, Sonny was a man who by virtue never, ever cared or tried to impress anyone. Yet, for that exact reason, he impressed everyone. Quick to smile, and loved to laugh. He is a legacy that will never be forgotten, and my memory of him will not fade. He was that special. As I have said many times throughout the years; He was a Man’s man . . .

Marvin, Jean, Thank you for the son that you gave us. You may never know the impact that he had on my life, Scott Kreinbrinks, Steve Nordhauses or hundreds of others like us. We will forever be grateful to you for the son that you raised and gave to us.

So Mrs. Sonnenberg, if you really want to know if you’ve made a difference in this world, look around you. The answer is yes.

So, as this day will continue, and the sun will set tonight, I will pray another prayer for your family, for Lauren and for Sonny. But I will also give thanks to God for bringing Sonny into our lives.

On behalf of the United States Air Force
The 180th Fighter Wing
And the 112th Fighter Squadron

We will forever be indebted to your family for giving us Kevin.
May God Bless You, and Kevin’s Soul.

Back to "Sonny's Stingers"