[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19867]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING RETIRED UNITED STATES AIR FORCE CAPTAIN NATHAN 
                                 NELSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MATT GAETZ

                               of florida

                  in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 14, 2017

  Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize a true American 
hero and patriot.
  Captain Nelson, USAF, Retired, enlisted in the military in 2006. 
After 4 years of enlisted service, Nelson applied to Officer Training 
School with the encouragement of his commanding officer. He attended 
Officer Training School in Montgomery, Alabama in 2011, followed by 
Intelligence Officer Training at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, TX.
  Once Nelson finished training there, he was assigned to Joint Base 
Lewis-McChord as the Director of Intelligence for the 22nd Special 
Tactics Squadron.
  Nelson was serving on his third tour in Afghanistan as the Special 
Tactics Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance liaison. While 
assisting a combat controller assigned to a 7th Special Forces Group 
ODA, Nelson was hit by a 107mm rocket and suffered a spinal cord injury 
from the blast.
  In addition to that injury, Nelson also suffered severe shrapnel 
wounds, multiple spinal fractures, severe tissue damage to his left 
ankle, collapsed lungs, major shrapnel damage to his torso and lower 
extremities, and severely bruised organs. He also underwent a massive 
blood transfusion and tracheotomy, and suffered numerous other 
injuries.
  Nelson spent 18 months in physical therapy, underwent 9 surgeries, 
and 46 units of blood. His injuries left him paralyzed from the chest 
down.
  Nelson served 9 years honorably in the USAF and retired in November 
of 2015.
  For his service to the country, Nelson received the Meritorious 
Service Medal, Purple Heart, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army 
Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal, among many others.
  Nelson has not let his injuries damper his tenacious spirit or hinder 
him from continuing to serve his country. He currently holds a Bachelor 
of Arts Degree in Intelligence Studies, and an MBA in Finance. Nelson 
also helps countless veterans and active duty members by serving as my 
Deputy Director of Military Affairs for Florida's First Congressional 
District. His guidance and expertise is an invaluable asset to me and 
my team. His determination, bravery, and fortitude are an inspiration 
to all who are blessed to know and work with him.
  To honor his great sacrifice for our country, Nelson will be gifted a 
mortgage-free home from nonprofit Building Homes for Heroes, an 
organization that builds and modifies homes to gift mortgage-free to 
wounded veterans and their families. Nelson, his wife Jennifer, and 
their daughter Eva will be welcomed into their new home for the very 
first time in Santa Rosa Beach, FL.
  I would like to extend my gratitude to Nate and his family for all 
they've sacrificed for their country and their community.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged 
to recognize and honor Nathan Nelson, Jen, and Eva, and congratulate 
them on their well-deserved, new home.

                          ____________________