When Lance Cpl. Travis M. Nelson comes home, city officials hope residents will pay him the respects a hero deserves.

Atmore Mayor Howard Shell said he is encouraging residents to line the streets Friday afternoon as Nelson’s remains are transported from First Baptist Church to Oak Hill Cemetery.

“It would be a strong show of support,” Shell said. “I want our town to turn out, not for show, but for respect.”

Nelson, 19, was killed last week during a small arms battle, just one month after his unit arrived in Afghanistan. He is the son of Scott and Beckie Nelson of Bratt, Fla.

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.

Nelson’s remains are expected to arrive at NAS Pensacola at 2 p.m. today and will be met by his family and escorted to Atmore by the Patriot Riders.

Nelson, a native of Orlando, Fla., and a resident of Bratt for the past eight years, is a veterans of the U.S. Marine Corps, a member of the Young Marines of Pensacola for four years, a member of the Pace High School NJROTC and the Baptist church. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Morris W. Nelson, Daniel Sanspree and a great-grandmother, Gladys Brunson.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by a brother, Daniel Nelson of Century, Fla.; a half-brother, Chandler Case of Daphne; two sisters, Jenna Nelson of Brewton and Anna Nelson of Bratt; his grandmothers, Anna Sanspree of Atmore and Louise Nelson of East Brewton; and a number of aunts and uncles.

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.