KEEGAN CARES Memorial Program
Lance Corporal Keegan Thomas Allen
KEEGAN CARES, A Memorial Program To Honor The Memory Of LCpl Keegan Thomas Allen, USMC, was established on Monday, September 23, 2024, by SOKY PATRIOTS INC. He was buried on Sunday, September 22, 2024, in a small cemetery near Oakland, KY, where he grew up.
Keegan was born in Oakland, KY. He attended Oakland Elementary School, Warren East Middle School, Warren East High School, and Beacon Academy. Keegan graduated at the age of 16.
After graduation, he spent his summer as a lifeguard at Beech Bend Park. He worked hard at getting into shape for the military. Keegan had always talked about joining the Marine Corps.
Keegan joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17. Keegan left Marine Corps Base Parris Island boot camp on February 11, 2023. Keegan graduated from boot camp at Parris Island on May 12, 2023, one month before his 18th birthday.
Staff Sergeant Shamair Hamilton said the following about Keegan’s time at Parris Island. “While under my charge, Keegan was the youngest of over 60 young men. Over the course of 3 months he has shown the most improvement in maturity and growth. Always seeking ways to find responsibility and being an asset in the platoon. He would place him self in points of friction where the platoon was struggling, trying to find ways to be a part of the solution. He stood out to me from the start because he was the first one I remembered by name and face because of his inability to stand still when I first saw the platoon. But he was able to fix that on his own without any extra attention, maybe he was just nervous”.
Keegan then spent a month at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for combat training. After his training, he was sent to Goodfellow Air Force Base for his MOS Training. After four months of training in his specialty as MOS 2621, Keegan then departed for Kaneohe Marine Corps Base on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu.
Keegan purchased a motorcycle for transportation. He quickly made friends with other motorcycle enthusiasts. He started participating in rides, bike nights, and bike meets. He loved to go riding with friends and experience the different events that Hawaii had to offer.
While out on a ride with friends in the early morning hours of September 1, 2024, Keegan was involved in a motorcycle accident. Keegan was transported to the hospital as a result of a hit-and-run. On September 5, 2024, Keegan succumbed to his major injuries and passed away. He donated some of his organs upon death.
Our goal is to honor the things Keegan loved. Family, fitness, soccer, and motorcycles. Projected expenses for the 1st half of 2025:
1. Warren Central High School Regional ROTC Competition ($1,500) (COMPLETED)
2. USMC Boot Camp Family Attendance Scholarship ($1,500)
3. LCpl Keegan Thomas Memorial Garden ($5,000)
4. Inaugural “Keegan Cares” Soccer Tournament Location: TBD in Bowling Green, KY (ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, MARINES) compete to take home the KEEGAN KARES Trophy. ($5,000)
5. Motorcycle Awareness Campaign yearly for two to four weeks around Memorial Day Weekend ($1,500) (COMPLETED)
6. Warren County Backpack Food Program, with which Keegan volunteered frequently growing up, and when home on leave. 1 month of food bag sponsorship. ($7,000)
We will keep everyone updated on the progress of this program as we ensure that the things that Keegan loved so very much are assisted through the program that bears his name.
We conduct raffles throughout the year to help fund the 6 listed programs stated above.
To donate to the Keegan Kares Memorial Program, click here.
