Army Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, remembered as “the rock” and “the glue” for those around her, was tragically killed earlier this month during the ongoing war with Iran. Her husband, Joey Amor, shared with CBS News the profound impact Nicole had on her fellow soldiers and family, describing how her steadfast presence provided strength and stability in moments of fear, uncertainty, and chaos. Nicole, a native of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, was among six Army Reserve soldiers who lost their lives in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait on March 1, a day after the United States and Israel launched a significant military operation against Iran.
Nicole was assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa, a unit responsible for logistics and support crucial to military operations. Joey Amor recalled the moment he first became alarmed when he saw news reports about an explosion targeting a sustainment unit in Kuwait. Knowing that very few soldiers remained in that area, Joey immediately feared for Nicole’s safety, understanding that the reports likely involved her unit. In a heartfelt message to his wife, Joey expressed his growing worry and asked her to reassure him. Tragically, about an hour and a half later, he learned that Nicole had been killed in the attack. She was just days away from returning home.
The pain of losing Nicole was overwhelming for Joey, especially since he had to endure the uncertainty before receiving confirmation of her death. “I don’t know how to explain knowing before you know, then being told what you already know, after not being able to see your person for that long,” he reflected. Nicole’s funeral took place in Minnesota the weekend following her death, marking a heartbreaking ending to what had been their second tour apart since she left last July. When they last said goodbye, Nicole had assured Joey, “I’ll see you soon,” words that now feel painfully poignant.
Joey is now faced with the difficult task of explaining Nicole’s death to their children. He emphasized the importance of honesty, sharing that protecting them from the truth is no longer possible. “There is no protecting them from the truth that their mother is gone,” he said, explaining that he approaches each child’s grief in a way that suits their individual needs. The family had been intertwined for over two decades, having met while serving together at Fort Eustis in Virginia. They married in 2015, their lives deeply connected through shared military service and mutual support.
Though Joey left the military in 2012, Nicole’s commitment only grew stronger. She chose to continue serving, driven by a profound sense of duty, responsibility, and pride. According to Joey, her dedication extended beyond her own service to caring for the soldiers alongside her, embodying the spirit of camaraderie and leadership. Her loss has now made Joey and their children part of the Gold Star families, a community of loved ones who have lost service members in the line of duty. Joey spoke about the unique and often indescribable bond shared by these families, emphasizing the deep respect and honor they hold, even as the true weight of their grief remains difficult for outsiders to fully comprehend.
In the midst of his sorrow, Joey finds himself reflecting often on the last moments he shared with Nicole, as well as the precious time their children had with their mother before her death. He recalls the comfort they all felt, believing Nicole was safe, which makes the loss even more heart-wrenching. Despite the pain of both looking back and facing the future without her, Joey and their children are channeling their grief into something meaningful: an unconventional memorial to honor Nicole’s memory.
Nicole had a deep love for gardening, finding solace and joy in nurturing plants and watching them grow. Joey described gardening as a calming space for her, a place where life flourished naturally and beautifully. Inspired by this passion, the family, along with the support of Operation Nikki’s Embrace, is working to create a special greenhouse in Nicole’s honor. This initiative aims not only to celebrate Nicole’s life but also to support gardens, greenhouses, community spaces, and acts of service that carry forward her spirit of care and growth.
Operation Nikki’s Embrace is actively raising funds to bring this vision to life. The greenhouse will serve as a lasting tribute and a space for reflection, healing, and community engagement. Joey expressed profound gratitude for this opportunity, looking forward to dedicating himself to maintaining and nurturing the greenhouse as a living memorial to his wife