Soldier home for Christmas

RENSELEAR, Ind. (WLFI) - It was a Homecoming celebration for one Renselear soldier who wasn't expecting to be home for Christmas with his family. Private first class Christopher Allen received a Hero's welcome as he returned to Indiana as a purple heart soldier.
 

Private Allen wasn't sure what was in store for him the minute he reached American soil. Allen and the 36st Calvary of Ft. Carson, Colorado, were serving in Afghanistan for six months, when private Allen's duties changed.
 

Christopher's Father Eddie Allen said, "He just changed missions from guard post status to a patrolling status. I knew he would be in vehicles, be on the roads a lot more patrolling. So that was my first initial though IED blast. Private Allen had been hit by a mortar.
 

"It was six of them standing there. Three of them were Afghani soldiers that were helping them. They were instantly killed. Chris was in between them and some of his fellow soldiers and the blast blew into him. He ended up with shrapnel in his right side. His leg, up and down his side. They got most of it all taken care of, but there was still one piece that was kinda small that was near his heart. They decided not to risk messing with it, he has a permanent souvenir," said Eddie Allen.
 

Private Allen has spent the past month in recovery at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C.. He was awarded the Purple Heart for combat.
 

"What I told him is that, I was glad that he was doing what he was supposed to do. I know what it's like when nothing happens or when shelling is not close you. You kind of get complacent and take some gear off and get a little lazy. They all did the right thing they kept their gear on and he was ready at all times. I'm sure he's lucky the gear saved his life," said Eddie Allen.
 

Private Allen said he is improving. "It's going pretty well. I still have one open wound, that I clean every day. I go back to walter reed, in Washington D.C. Hopefully they will get it closed and start the healing process there, other than that its going really good," said Private Allen.
Private Allen will be home for thirty days, then he will head back to Walter Reed for more evaluations. He said that just enough time for to spend Christmas with his family.

"It will mean a lot to them. No one really expected me to be home this Christmas and I'm home safe. I just wish my guys from Afghanistan could be here you know and spend Christmas together. Them being over there and me being over here I kinda miss them already," said Private Allen.
If Private Allen meets his rehabilitation requirements, he could be sent back to Afghanistan.