THORNTON – There is a story behind the name Nicholas Robert Allen Nelson. Someday, his father will tell Nicholas about three remarkable men. 

Nicholas was born on Friday, July 4th , at North Suburban Medical Center in Thornton, but his story begins two years earlier in Baghdad, Iraq.

His father, Chris Nelson, was serving with the US Army. His son's story started on May 18, 2006.

"I'll never forget. It's burned into my memory forever," Nelson said.

He was scheduled to drive a Humvee during the day's mission. Onboard were two of his closest friends, PFC Nicholas Cournoyer and Sgt. Lonnie Allen, Jr., who went by "Allen." Nelson's commanding officer, First Lt. Robert Seidel, offered to give Nelson the day off because he'd been up early performing maintenance on the vehicle.

Nelson was safely back in his barracks when the Humvee hit an improvised explosive device, an IED. Five were killed, including Cournoyer, Allan and Seidel.

"It was a horrific day and I'll never forget it," said Nelson.

He was determined to honor a plea from the fallen soldier's parents.

"They asked us, don't forget. Do not forget. Please," recalled Nelson.

Nicholas Robert Allen Nelson is their namesake and a promise kept.

"We're keeping their sons' names alive," said Nelson.

"They were everything to my husband," Tiffany Nelson said. "I knew that they would always live in his heart if we had a boy named after them."

"There's going to be parts of them that he's going to be able to inherit from them," said Chris Nelson. "I hope it inspires his life."

The Nelsons, who live in Brighton, are planning to connect with the families of the fallen soldiers to inform them of the tribute.