Serving their country has sort of become a family business for the Nelsons as its third generation landed in Afghanistan last month to continue the fight against terrorism.
‘The presidential candidates are asking people to serve a bigger cause,? said Oxford resident Dan Nelson. ‘My son happens to be living that.?
U.S. Airman First Class Benjamin Nelson, a 2007 graduate of Lake Orion High School, is currently doing security work at the Kandahar Air Field in southern Afghanistan near the Pakistani border. He’ll be there until February 2009.
Kandahar Air Field is a vital NATO air base that houses approximately 13,000 soldiers from 17 different nations. It’s the second-largest military base in Afghanistan.
Benjamin was stationed at Royal Air Force Mildenhall in London, England with the 100th Security Forces Squadron when he volunteered for a six-month deployment to Kandahar.
‘I about exploded with pride because he volunteered,? Dan said. ‘To be a 19-year-old kid and volunteer to serve your country and put yourself in harm’s way, how could you not be a proud dad??
‘Thank God for him and others like him so we can do what we do ? go to work, have our fun times,? said mother Kitty Nelson. ‘It’s people like that that give us our freedom over here. I appreciate that.?
Benjamin’s certainly no stranger to the military. His dad served in the Marine Corps from 1976-80 and his grandfather, Roy Nelson, a 92-year-old Rochester resident, is a Korean War veteran and retired Army lieutenant colonel.
‘He’s not a kid who ended up in the military because he didn’t have anything else to do,? Dan said. ‘He believes in it. That’s what he wanted to do.?
‘As a parent, it’s a little scary, but he’s doing what he wants, so I’m happy for him,? Kitty said. ‘He’s somewhere he wants to be.?
Even Benjamin’s brother, Nickolas, got into the act by joining the Air Force in October 2006. The 2003 LOHS graduate is stationed with the 92nd Air Refueling Wing in Spokane, Washington, where he works with the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) school.
Although they’ve been able to communicate via instant messaging, Friday was the first time Dan got to speak with his son over the telephone for about 30 minutes.
‘He sounded very happy, very positive about what he’s doing,? he said. ‘Ben takes great pride in representing the people of his area.?
Although Benjamin spends all his time within the base’s walls, there’s still an element of danger from Taliban fighters who sit in the surrounding mountains and periodically launch rockets or mortars at the facility as a form of harassment.
?(Benjamin) said it’s pretty routine,? Dan said. ‘It happens two or three times a week. It’s not like he’s under heavy fire.?
One of these rockets or mortars exploded about 150 yards away from Benjamin. That’s the closest one’s ever landed near him.
Like any other military parent, Dan worries about his son, but he doesn’t let it consume him.
‘The left side of my brain is a Marine, so I understand what he’s going through,? he explained. ‘The right side of my brain is a dad. To be realistic, you know it’s a possibility, but to keep your mental health together, you try not to worry about it.?
Dan hopes people will read this story and send well wishes, care packages or both to troops serving in Afghanistan.
‘What they need a lot of is just support here from people,? he said. ‘The biggest thing you can get when you’re in that type of situation is contact from home ? people telling you they’re behind you.?
Those wishing to send messages and items overseas can mail them to Benjamin Nelson, 451 AEG/ESFF, APO AE 09355.
Don’t know what to send? Feel free to contact Dan at (248) 287-1070 and get some suggestions.
Whenever Benjamin gets extra items in the mail, he makes sure to share with his comrades, especially those who don’t receive anything from home.
‘That makes me feel good,? Dan said.