Local MEPS honors fallen Soldier

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Allison M. Boehm
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
SHREVEPORT, La. --  More than 60 individuals packed the Shreveport Military Entrance Processing Station July 10 to witness the dedication of the MEPS Ceremony Room to a local fallen hero, Army Sgt. Craig L. Nelson. 

Jay Jones, Shreveport MEPS operation supervisor, decided to make a memorial after discovering how many servicemembers from the local area had perished during the recent conflict. In total, 40 military men and women from the area died during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Sergeant Nelson was the first to pass away in the conflict. 

"When we first heard the Shreveport MEPS wanted to dedicate the Ceremony Room to Craig, we couldn't believe it, we were shocked and honored," said Carly Thompson, Sergeant Nelson's sister. "My mom's first question was, "why Craig?" But as we found out he was one of the first Soldiers who came through Shreveport MEPS that was killed in action. The memorial may have Craig's name on it, but to my family Craig represents all of the Soldiers who have fallen in the line of duty throughout the United States, and especially Louisiana." 

Sergeant Nelson enlisted in the Louisiana Army National Guard Feb. 10, 2001, and shortly after, was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 156th Armor Regiment, Shreveport. He then mobilized with his unit May 15, 2004, for Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

While serving with his unit, Sergeant Nelson was fatally wounded Dec. 16, 2004, by an improvised explosive device detonated by enemy forces, after being flown back to the States and admitted to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., he succumbed to his combat injuries Dec. 29, 2004. 

As the Army Song filled the room, so did the words of Army Maj. Gen. Bennett Landreneau, the Adjutant General of Louisiana, Marine Corps Col. Charles Dunston, Commander, Western Sector, United States Military Entrance Processing Command, and Army Maj. Steven Downey, Commander, Shreveport MEPS. 

"This is a tremendous occasion as we have the opportunity to honor an American hero, Sergeant Craig Nelson," said General Landreneau. "He was an outstanding Soldier, he was committed and dedicated to the men in his organization and today we are able to join his family and honor him at this memorial of this ceremony room at MEPS where he enlisted to the Louisiana National Guard. I am humbled and honored to be able to join the Nelson family and participate in this dedication and memorial ceremony--a great tribute to a great American Hero." 

A plaque was then unveiled revealing Sergeant Nelson's memorial. Family members and friends of Sergeant Nelson cried as they saw the contents of the shadow-box style plaque. A photo of Sergeant Nelson was positioned at the top of the frame, with Franklin D. Roosevelt's quote, "He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives- in a way that humbles the undertaking of most men," lies underneath his picture. A certificate for his Bronze Star Medal and his Purple Heart were framed inside in the plaque as well as the medals themselves. 

Immediately after the dedication ceremony, the plaque was hung in the Ceremony Room to be present over the first enlistment since the dedication as three men enlisted into the Army and another to the Air Force. 

"This dedication means a great deal to our family," said Mrs. Thompson. "Whenever someone loses their Soldier you want the world to know what your Soldier did for the rest of the country. You don't ever want them forgotten, this is one of the examples how the state of Louisiana has honored our Soldiers and not forgetting Craig and what he did for our country." 

The shadow-box in memory of Sergeant Nelson will be displayed here on out in the Ceremony Room of the Shreveport MEPS. 

"Every young man and woman that comes through this facility will see this memorial," said Mr. Jones. "Being part of today's military is more than educational benefits; it's more than the travel and the perks of being in the Armed Forces. It all comes down to that part of the oath of enlistment to support and defend the constitution of the United States and that means at sometimes the total cost."