Franklin Marine dies in Afghanistan

January 12, 2010 | Uncategorized

A 2006 Franklin High School graduate was killed in Afghanistan on Monday, according to a family member.

Marine Cpl. Nick Uzenski, 21, died in combat, his grandmother Audrey Archibald said Tuesday night.

Department of Defense personnel notified Uzenski’s mother, Lisa Uzenski, around midday Tuesday while she was at work, Archibald said.

Word spread quickly around Franklin and among Uzenski’s friends, some of whom were gathered Tuesday night in mourning in Franklin.

“Nick was just the happiest person you ever met,” friend John Kemp said. “He lit up a room.”

The Department of Defense has not confirmed Uzenski’s death or released any information about casualties in Afghanistan on Monday or Tuesday.

The Washington Post reported Tuesday an offensive was under way early Monday morning involving two Marine companies near Bar Now Zad, a Taliban-controlled area in Helmand Province.

Uzenski joined the Marines two years ago.

“That was his dream since he was younger,” his friend Austin Babcock said.

A DOD official said it usually takes about 24 hours between the time family notification is made and a media release is issued.