Soldier killed in Afghanistan mourned

ASSOCIATED PRESS

SPENCERPORT — The parents, widow and three young children bid farewell Tuesday to their soldier who enlisted after the 9/11 attacks, served two tours in Iraq, and lost his life in combat in Afghanistan.

Family, friends and Army comrades filled a church in a Rochester suburb for the funeral of Staff Sgt. Nekl Allen, 29. He was killed along with Specialist Daniel Cox, a 23-year-old from Parsons, Kan., when their vehicle was hit by small-arms fire and an improvised explosive device in Wardak province on Sept. 12.

Allen and Cox were stationed with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum and deployed to Afghanistan in January.

"Nick joined the U.S. Army in May 2002 in response to the attack on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001," his father-in-law, Mike Meehan, said in a eulogy. "He stepped up to serve his country because he knew it was his duty and the right thing to do. Army life agreed with him and he re-enlisted twice."

"Nicky's not gone, he's just slipped into another room," said his uncle, Doug Allen, urging mourners to "write down something in his memory, maybe an experience you had with him, positive or negative or whatever. And, please, maybe you can offer this to his kids so that they may always know their father."

Allen is survived by his wife, Amy, children Christopher, 10, Michael, 7, Grace, 5, and parents Daniel and Debra Allen. He earned more than 30 military badges and medals, including the Bronze Star for gallantry in combat operations and the Purple Heart.

His superiors gave him "the difficult assignments because they knew he would get them completed," Meehan said. At the same time, "he was not afraid to respectfully challenge his senior NCOs when their decision could adversely affect his men. Regardless of the consequences, Nick would always choose the hard right over the easy wrong."

Above all, Allen was "courteous and kind with anyone he met" and made friends easily, Meehan said. "He loved life and lived it to the fullest. It was a joy being around Nick, he had a way of making you feel special."

Both men were members of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, which deployed to Afghanistan in January.

To date, 26 members of that unit have died in Afghanistan since they deployed. They are scheduled to return after the first of the year.