Soldier ‘Loved Life and Lived It to the Fullest’

By Mark Berman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, October 9, 2009

Like so many of his peers, Nekl Allen felt compelled to serve his country after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. And joining an ever-increasing number of his fellow soldiers, Allen was buried Thursday morning at Arlington National Cemetery.

Staff Sgt. Nekl B. Allen, 29, of Rochester, N.Y., was killed Sept. 12 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, along with Spec. Daniel L. Cox, 23, of Parsons, Kan. Enemy forces attacked their vehicle with a makeshift bomb and small-arms fire, the Defense Department said.

Allen and Cox were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) based at Fort Drum, N.Y.

Allen’s father-in-law said in a eulogy last month that after Allen enlisted in response to the attacks, he found service to be a good fit.

“He stepped up to serve his country because he knew it was his duty and the right thing to do,” Mike Meehan told the Associated Press. “Army life agreed with him, and he reenlisted twice.”

Allen, who was known as “Nicky,” was a family man who enjoyed spending time with his wife, Amy, and children Christopher, 10, Michael, 7, and Grace, 5, according to the Democrat and Chronicle of Rochester.

Meehan described Allan as courteous, kind and always looking out for his troops. He said Allen “would always choose the hard right over the easy wrong.”

“He loved life and lived it to the fullest,” Meehan said. “It was a joy being around Nick; he had a way of making you feel special.”

Allen’s wife and his parents, Daniel and Debra Allen, received folded flags at Thursday’s service.

Allen joined the Army in May 2002 and was on his third deployment, according to his base. He also served in Iraq.

He received several awards and decorations, including the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal.

He was buried in Arlington’s Section 60, becoming the 107th soldier from the war in Afghanistan to be buried at the cemetery and the 571st casualty from the wars there and in Iraq to be buried at Arlington.