Local Marine Killed In Afghanistan Laid to Rest

Motorcycles from the patriot guard as well has hundreds of people came to pay their final respects to 19-year-old Lance Corporal Travis Nelson.

“He was such a fine young man and he'd just graduated high school and it's just a tragedy,” says family friend Judy Marsh.  It's a tragedy being felt across this rural area near the Florida, Alabama state line.  Family members describe the young man as someone who loved the outdoors and was quick with a joke--but he put his love of his country above all else.

“For being able to stand up for his country, do what he did at such a young age it takes a lot of guts to do that,” says classmate William Rigel.  Nelson's flag draped casket was greeted by a somber welcome along Main Street in Atmore--his body carried by fellow Marines.

“[He] wanted to be a marine since he was ten, never changed his mind, he's just a great person,” says Marsh.  Hundreds of people that knew the young marine have come to pay their respects at this Atmore church and also those that didn't know him or the family, the brotherhood of the Marines

“One of our own has fallen on the battlefield, the marine corps league is here en masse and strong support for Travis nelson and his family,” says retired Marine Dave Glassman.  The death of this marine hits not only the Nelson family, but this entire community.