COL Allen Milman

The Veteran Corps of Artillery mourns the passing of our own Colonel Allen I. Milman on Saturday, October 30, 2021. He was 81 years of age.

COL Milman was a native New Yorker, born in the Highbridge section of the Bronx on October 10, 1940. As a young man, he joined the U.S. Army achieving the National Defense Medal upon completion of Basic Training. Shortly thereafter, he returned to civilian life and pursued a career in construction.  In 1973 while building a hotel in Haiti he met the love of his life, Helga Hackenbruch and soon took her hand in marriage.  In the late 1970’s he began yet another career in advertising.  Advancing to executive positions in the field, he developed a 30-year relationship with the Danish Government. For his work with the Danish Government, various companies and organizations which promoted tourism and international business relations, COL Milman was bestowed with the Knight’s Cross of the Danish Royal Order of The Dannebrog by The Royal Family of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Outside of business ventures, The Boy Scouts of America held a special place in his heart.  For over seventy years he worked tirelessly for America’s youth, rising to the position of Board Member on both the Manhattan and Greater New York councils. COL Milman was also an avid outdoorsman and in the late 1990’s was sought after by the NRA to help promote marksmanship and shooting sports in New York City.  Answering the call, he and others founded The Big Apple Friends of the NRA, which he presided over as President for five years, gaining many charitable contributions.

More recently, COL Milman, whom was never one to fully retire from the business life, found satisfaction bringing his talents to bear working for non-profit organizations including The Red Cross and Salvation Army.

Always a patriot and eager to express his love of country and military, in June of 1987 COL Milman enlisted as a private in the Veteran Corps of Artillery, which became a lifelong passion of service spanning over 34 years. He relished in the history and the traditions of the Corps and sought to expose everyone he met to its legacy. His love of history also led him to become a founding member of the Lower Manhattan Historical Association, which today boasts several public events highlighting the history of New York City and the Veteran Corps of Artillery. He was also instrumental in the development and subsequent awarding of L.M.H.A.’s Annual Alexander Hamilton Achievement Award.

COL Milman’s service to the Corps was invaluable. His enthusiasm for life and the knowledge that every day brought endless opportunities to expose new generations of people to the legacy of the VCA was infectious. From Private to his promotion to full Colonel on no less a date than the 4th of July in 2018, it was befitting for a man with such a love of country and corps!

During his years of service, he held numerous positions within the Corps; among these were Public Affairs Officer, Aide De Camp to the Commandant, Vice Commandant and most recently Chief of Staff. His awards include the Department of The Army’s Commendation Medal, The New York State Military Commendation Medal, The Order of St. Barbara Artillery Medal, and the VCA 30 Year Long and Faithful Service Medal.

COL Milman will long be remembered for his patriotism, love of family and Corps. A husband, comrade and friend, he will be dearly missed. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Helga.

A memorial service is being planned by his wife for some time in January of 2022, at which time military honors will be rendered by the Corps.

On behalf of the Commandant, VCASNY, its officers and enlisted, we wish to extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to his family. REQUIEM IN PACE.  

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