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Local Veteran Looks Back On Distinguished Career

By GABRIELLE SHIOZAWA

Moapa Valley Progress

Moapa Valley veteran Steve Nelson is pictured at left wearing his Stetson US Army Colonel’s hat with his wife, Stacy (right). PHOTO COURTESY OF STACY NELSON.

As Moapa Valley prepares to celebrate Independence Day this year, one particular veteran deserves special recognition. Major Steve Nelson, a longtime Overton resident, served in the U.S. Army for more than 30 years. Here, Nelson and others share stories of a life lived in service to country.

Nelson was born in Henderson, Nevada, on May 2, 1964, to Overton residents Kathy and Rodney Nelson. After spending part of his childhood in Las Vegas, Nelson helped build the house he grew up in on Robbin Avenue in Overton. This home is where he still resides with his wife of ten years, Stacy.

“Steve always strived to be the best in [everything] he participated in,” said Overton resident Jeff Keel, who taught Nelson when he attended Moapa Valley High School. “It was that mentality that carried over into the army. It is no wonder that he attained the rank of Major as he served his country honorably.”

Steve Nelson is pictured in 1983 as a new army recruit.

Nelson served in the U.S. Army for 30 years, six months, and 11 days between 1982 and 2016. He served through four deployments. These included Desert Storm in 1995, Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2008-2009, Operation New Dawn in 2011, and Afghanistan in 2013.

Stacy Nelson remarked that her husband joined the army out of a desire “to be part of something bigger than [himself].”
“It gave me the ability to add to a situation where we’re helping people who need to be helped and are winning over people to become better than they are,” said Nelson.

He further explained that his love for military service comes from the impacts, great and small, he has been able to make in people’s lives.

Along with an impressive collection of awards that include the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Nelson served as a well-respected commander. He takes great pride in the distinctions received for being a Major, which now hang on his living room wall: a Stetson and gold spurs.

“You get those if you do crazy things,” Nelson smiled as he gestured to the spurs in an interview last Wednesday. “I’ll be in those when they put me in the ground.”

This matter-of-fact mentality arises from the fact that Nelson was diagnosed in late May with stage four glioblastoma.

Reflecting on a life lived in service, Nelson said, “Life is about change, quality, and sacrifice. I continue to do what I do because one of these days I’m not going to wake up, and I want to make sure that this place is okay.

“His proudest accomplishments are our family, our children, having served his country, and helping others,” commented Stacy.

Stacy served in the U.S. Army as well from 2003-2011. She met Nelson in Louisiana in late 2007 while he was serving in the National Guard there. The Nelsons were married on June 13, 2009 and share seven children: Randy, age 30; Kim, 27; Alex, 23; Jon, 21; Adrian, 15; Madison, 14; and Justin, 11.

When asked about his most influential Army experience, Nelson pointed at his wife and said, his voice growing thick with emotion, “Marrying her! Finding the greatest woman in my life.”

“He has a huge heart,” said Stacy of her husband. “He’s the type of person that will give you his last dollar or the shirt right off his back.”

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3 thoughts on “Local Veteran Looks Back On Distinguished Career”

  1. Congratulations Major Steve Nelson and Stacy Nelson. You deserves the recognition and honor. God bless you and your family.

  2. Steve is one of the finest men I know and served in Iraq with. He is a true patriot and an amazing father and husband!

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