Reservist Named Chamber's Citizen-Airman

Photo (l.to r.): Amy Tiemeyer, ACU (Award Sponsor) and MSgt Lance Nelson.







It is the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s honor to present the 2014 Howard O. Scott Citizen-Airman of the Year Award to 446th Airlift Wing Master Sergeant Lance Nelson.

Master Sergeant Lance Nelson is a long-time loadmaster in the 729th Airlift Squadron, 446th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Lewis McChord-McChord Field.  He is a flight leader in the squadron and manages training for his flight. He also is an employee of West Pierce Fire and Rescue as a firefighter and EMT. 

MSgt Nelson has volunteered for the West Pierce Fire and Rescue Public Education Team, teaching children in elementary schools fire prevention and life safety. He has in addition had a starring role in the Fire Prevention Week assemblies at various schools and has volunteered for the Read Across America Program where he has gone into classrooms to read to children.

MSgt Nelson is the current Evergreen Elementary School PTA President and has been a member of the PTA for the last seven years. He has been involved in fundraising for school camps and participated in movie nights, book fairs, bingo nights, popcorn sales, school beautification and many other PTA activities. He has volunteered in the classrooms as well, reading to children, and assisting teachers with classroom help. He also sits one-on-one with children in the classroom to help with instruction and testing.

MSgt Nelson was selected to sit on the Bethel School District Long Range Facilities Planning Team representing Evergreen Elementary School. On this team he works with community members to develop a list of projects to present to the school board for the next bond issue.

He is a sitting board member for Bethel Recreation Association, a non-profit organization that provided recreation athletics for the 17 elementary and six middle schools in the Bethel School District. He is involved with the implementation and development of the Standard Operating Procedures of the program and oversight of budget items.

MSgt. Nelson has also been an active volunteer coach for the Bethel Recreation Association, sometimes coaching up to two teams per season. He has coached basketball, football, soccer and baseball for the organization, spending countless hours developing practices and mentoring the youth on his teams. He also developed and organized a basketball clinic for the Bethel Recreation Association, volunteering his time and efforts to develop skills and abilities for young players.

MSgt. Nelson is an active Boy Scout dad, assisting his son in his progression through Scout programs. He crossed over with his son from Pack 679 to Troop 692 and is now active in troop campouts, fundraising, and meeting management. Currently, Nelson is setting up his training program to become a Troop Assistant Scoutmaster.

MSgt. Nelson has also been on his homeowners’ association board since its induction. He has served as secretary for the HOA and is currently the President. He has been involved in the beautification of the development and assists with maintaining rules and governance of the HOA.

With all of his activities and tireless devotion to making his community a better place for children and adults alike, Firefighter and Master Sergeant Nelson’s compassion, commitment and community impact in Pierce County and beyond makes him deserving of the Citizen-Airman of the Year Award.

“America's Credit Union (ACU) was excited to present this year’s citizen-soldier award. ACU has supported our area service members and their families since 1954, so it goes without saying that we would jump at the chance to honor such an exemplary citizen airman,” said Amy Tiemeyer, America’s Credit Union, (Award Sponsor).

About Howard O. Scott

Each year, the Citizen-Soldier (Airman) Award memorializes Howard Scott who grew up in Tacoma and served the nation when called upon during World War II—as part of “America’s Greatest Generation.” He returned to succeed as a banker in Tacoma, giving of his time to community service organizations, believing and enjoying this in his belief that doing so is one's responsibility.