Army Staff Sgt. Nekl B. Allen

Died September 12, 2009 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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29, of Rochester N.Y.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.; died Sept. 12 in Shahr District, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised-explosive device and small arms fire. Also killed was Spc. Daniel L. Cox.

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Relatives mourn soldier killed in Afghanistan

The Associated Press

SPENCERPORT, N.Y. — Mourners gathered Sept. 22 in a Rochester suburb for the funeral of a soldier killed in combat in Afghanistan after two tours in Iraq.

The parents, widow and three young children of Staff Sgt. Nekl Allen bid farewell to the soldier, who died Sept. 12 when his vehicle was hit by small-arms fire and an improvised explosive device in Wardak province.

Allen, 29, graduated in 1999 from Churchville-Chili High School, where he was a wrestler and played football. He joined the Army in 2002.

He was killed along with Spc. Daniel Cox, a 23-year-old from Parsons, Kan. Stationed with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, N.Y., they were deployed to Afghanistan in January.

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Spent most of his free time with his children

The Associated Press

When Nekl Allen was home from the Army, he always found time to interact with his daughter and two sons.

Riding dirt bikes with 10-year-old Christopher. Roughhousing in the living room with 7-year-old Michael. Helping 5-year-old Grace learn to count.

“He was the most lovable person I know,” said his sister, Rana.

Allen, 29, of Rochester, N.Y., died Sept. 12 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, when he and a fellow soldier were attacked with an explosive and small weapons. Both were assigned to Fort Drum, N.Y.

Allen, known also as Nick or Nicky, loved the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, bow-hunting and playing paintball. He was a 1999 graduate of Churchville-Chili High School, where he was a wrestler and played fullback and linebacker for the football team.

“He showed the signs of courage by taking on big tasks, even when he was young,” said his high school coach, Paul Dick.

Allen joined the Army in May 2002, prompted by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He was deployed twice to Iraq before being sent to Afghanistan.

“He stepped up to serve his country because he knew it was the right thing to do,” said his father-in-law, Mike Meehan.

Allen also is survived by his wife, Amy Meehan-Allen.