Specialist Nickolas Shane Welch, A Soldier's Story
Specialist Nickolas Shane Welch, A Soldier's Story
Specialist Nickolas Shane Welch was born on March 16, 1987. He grew up in Oregon and graduated from Santiam Canyon High School in 2005, where he excelled in football, basketball, and track.
In 2009, he earned an associate degree in Business Management from the College of the Siskiyous before answering the call to serve. Specialist Welch enlisted in the United States Army in August 2010 and was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division.
In 2013, he deployed to Afghanistan in support of the War on Terror. On August 6 of that year, while manning a checkpoint, Specialist Welch was killed when a suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device (IED).
He is laid to rest at Willamette National Cemetery in Happy Valley, Oregon, where his sacrifice is honored alongside so many others who gave their lives in service to our nation.
Author’s Note: My middle son considered Specialist Welch a dear friend. On that tragic day, he was far enough outside the blast radius to be thrown but not killed by the explosion. We at the Everyday Patriot Project deeply mourn the passing of Specialist Welch and will forever honor his service and memory.
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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.
You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.
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