WOOD TV -- On Sunday, the Pentagon announced the death Friday of Army Sgt. Allen A. Greka, 29, of Alpena, who was hit by a land mine while on patrol in Jisr Diyala.
"It's very hard to deal with, but we've been getting a lot of support from everyone in the area," his father, Steven Greka, told The Alpena News.
Allen Greka and his wife, Jennifer, were married about a year ago. The couple had a 4-month-old daughter, Lilith. Greka also had a 4-year-old stepdaughter, Rose, his father said.
Steven Greka described his son as a very professional soldier who loved what he did and enjoyed reading.
"Anything he read he retained," Steven Greka said. "He was very intelligent."
Allen Greka also is survived by his mother, Patti Greka. Funeral arrangements were pending Monday.
Greka was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Benning, Ga.