Local Guardsman returns home from Iraq, shares story

ALDEN - Being under the constant threat of roadside bombs and insurgent attacks, many troops stationed in Iraq will not miss much when they return home.

"Sunsets and stars are the only things I’m going to miss," Trevor Nelson, a National Guardsman stationed in Iraq, said.

Nelson, 20, has been on leave from his post west of Baghdad near the village of Hit, Iraq since Aug. 28 and has spent much of that time at his family’s home in Alden. He will return to Iraq on Sept. 15 and is scheduled to finish his tour in time to celebrate his 21st birthday in the states with friends and family on April 3, 2007.

Nelson has been in the Middle East since April, and was in training at Camp Shelby, Miss. before that. Nelson hadn’t been home since last Christmas.

Most of his visit home has been spent catching up with friends and family and has included a surprise hello at a friend’s wedding and numerous motorcycle rides on his Yamaha R6.

"I’ve pretty much been winging it," Nelson said.

He also added to his tattoo collection with a knot-work design on his wrist that he got done at

"It’s almost like he hasn’t even been gone," Lori Nelson, his mother, said. "But none of us are looking forward to the 15th."

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