City pays respects to Lance Cpl. Nelson
Published 5:22 pm Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Atmore residents and United Bank employees hold their hands over their hearts as the motorcade with Lance Cpl. Travis Michael Nelson's body makes its way down East Nashville Avenue Wednesday.|Photo by Chandler Myers
Members of an JROTC unit salute the motorcade that holds Lance Cpl. Travis Michael Nelson's body as it makes it way to Petty-Eastside Memorial Chapel Wednesday afternoon.|Photo by Chandler Myers
Hundreds of Atmore residents gathered throughout Main Street in Atmore Wednesday as the body of U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Travis Nelson was returned.
Throughout the city, people littered the sidewalks with American flags to pay respects to the 19-year-old who was killed in action last week during a small arms battle, just one month after his unit arrived in Afghanistan.
Law enforcement departments including the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in Florida and the Atmore Police Department along with the Patriot Guard Riders led the motorcade to Petty-Eastside Memorial Chapel.
A large crowd gathered around United Bank including Atmore residents, employees of the bank and ROTC units from area schools.
Funeral services begin at 2 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church. Shell said residents are encouraged to line the streets after the funeral, so perhaps about 30 to 45 minutes after the service begins.
Visitation is at 12:30 p.m. Friday at the church. Burial will follow Friday’s services at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore.
Chaplain Lt. Commander Jeffrey Bornemann and the Rev. George Weaver will officiate the services with military honors.
The Patriot Guard Riders helped lead the motorcade that brought the remains of Lance Cpl. Travis Michael Nelson to Atmore Wednesday.|Photo by Chandler Myers
