Home
SGT Craig L. Nelson
1983-2004
Injured on December 16, 2004 in Baghdad by an IED and passed away on December
29, 2004 at Bethesda Naval Hospital. He was in the 1/156 AR BN of the LA Army
National Guard.
Craig wanted to be a soldier since he was a
little boy. When he joined the LA National Guard he talked his three best
friends into joining also. The day Craig was leaving for Iraq, our mom asked
him why he was doing this, Craig pointed to his 4 year-old nephew, Cade, and
said, "I'm doing it for him, so he can live in a free country just like I did
and grow up happy". Craig believed in the cause and truly wanted to help the
Iraqi people.
Our family is forever indebted to Craig's three best friends who prayed, held
his hands, and stayed by his side until he left Baghdad. If it wasn't for Ryan,
Donald, and Trey, Craig would have never made it to Walter Reed Medical Center
to see his mom and sister one more time.
Craig had a dry-wit sense of humor and was the life of every party. If you met
Craig you loved him. He could make you smile when your clouds were blue. He is
deeply missed by family and friends but is forever in our hearts.
He was preceded in death by his father, Gene C. Nelson and is survived by his
mother, Lois J. Nelson, sister Carly Nelson-Thompson, brother-in-law Tommie, and
nephew Cade Thompson who loved his Uncle Craig very much.
Submitted by Sister Carly Nelson-Thompson, on behalf of Craig's Proud and Loving
Family
