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My Grandpa : My Hero
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Sgt. Harry J. Nelson
December 1, 1900 - January 1, 1975
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time
When you read these words by Longfellow, who comes to mind? Many times they envoke images of great people throughout history. People who struggled against impossible odds to achieve great things. However, when I read these words I think of a man I grew up knowing, yet never met. I think of a man who I have seen time and time again, but only recently noticed. I think of a man who, in the past few years, has taught me what it means to be great. The man I think of is my late grandfather, Harry J. Nelson.
Harry Nelson was an average man who came from a humble background. He was born on December 1, 1900. The third of nine childeren born to two Danish immigrants, he grew up on a modest farm in rural Wisconsin. Although he only had a fourth grade education, he possessed many qualities that you cannot gain from books. Qualities like integrity, kindness, honesty, and bravery. Qualities that define greatness. Throughout his life, my grandfather always strived to do the right thing. He had the attributes of a hero and was publicly recognized as one.
In 1927, Harry enlisted in the Michigan State Police. Most of the stories I grew up with are from this period in his life. His actions during his days as an officer exemplify what it means to be noble. On January 13, 1930, Trooper Nelson was patroling with Corporal L.V. Maycock when they stopped to question three robbery suspects. The suspects took off and soon gunfire erupted along US-112. A bullet crashed through the driver's side windshield striking Trooper Nelson in the jaw. Despite his injury, he kept the gun battle going for twelve miles. They only stopped when the car became useless and loss of blood prevented my grandfather to continue. His courage, exceptional bravery, and devotion to duty earned Trooper Nelson the Medal of Valor, the State Police's highest award. He became the second of only four living troopers to recieve this honor. All others were awarded posthumously. But Harry Nelson was not just a brave man. He was an honest man with a great deal of integrity. He proved this by bring in a notorious cop killer, known as Frenchie Benoit, alive, when many other officers wanted him dead. Furthermore, my grandfather insured that Benoit lived to see his trial. Harry Nelson was a well respected man within the Michigan State Police. Today a display hangs in the main lobby of the Michigan State Police Training Facility that contains his medal, photo, description of the events of January 13, and a photo of the car in which Trooper Nelson and Corporal Maycock were patroling.
Along with all of these virtues, my grandfather also possessed a great deal of generosity. At the height of the Great Depression, a man came to my grandparents' door selling potatoes. They were not particularly good looking potatoes and the man was asking thirty cents for a bushel. My grandfather knew that the man was struggling and he realized that this man didn't have a steady job like my grandfather did. He told the man that he would not pay thirty cents for the potatoes. Instead, he gave him a dollar. But of all the stories I grew up hearing, my favorite illustrates both my grandfather's pride and humility. At the table one day, my grandfather offered my grandmother some horseradish. She declined it and said, "I don't see how you can eat that stuff." To show off how tough a guy he was, my grandfather took a big spoon full and ate it. He did not even bat an eye. My grandmother was amazed at the feat of boldness. It was not until about a month or so later that he admitted to her that the spoonful of horseradish just about killed him. Sadly, I never got to meet my grandfather. On January 1, 1975, he quietly passed into eternity, leaving behind only memories.
Not gold, but only man can make
A people great and strong;
Men who, for truth and honor's sake,
Stand fast and suffer long.
Brave men who work while others sleep,
Who dare while others fly--
They build a nation's pillars deep
And lift them to the sky.
In my eyes, Harry J. Nelson was one of those men. His actions throughout his life illustrate the strong character he had. I admire his courage, devotion to duty, bravery, generosity, and integrity. Today people tend to use the word "hero" lightly, but Harry Nelson is a hero. He is my hero. I want to follow in the footprints that he left behind. And my only hope is that one day I will be at least half the person that he was.
