A citizen-soldier, who cares, leads and loves his fellow Servicemembers and pets.
A veteran of the Afghanistan War, Maj. Brian Nelson is assigned to the Washington National Guard's Joint Force Headquarters and has rendered two decades of military service to our nation.
Maj. Nelson is the deputy director for Joint Services Support Directorate (JSS) on Camp Murray.
The JSS provides a slate of services to Servicemembers and their families to include: deployment reintegration, counseling services, family programs, employment skills, sexual assault awareness, VA benefits, apprenticeship facilitation, along with many others.
Brian doesn't just believe in service to country but service to animals as well.
He and his wife, Kelly, are lifetime animals lovers and were long troubled by the neglect and abuse of animals in our community.
In 2005, they established a non-profit organization called Kindred Souls Foundation to provide sanctuary for dogs and cats of all ages.
They educate people about the rewards and responsibilities of animal companionship.
Kindred Souls has found forever homes for more than 800 animals, which effectively rescued them from an unpleasant alternative.
In 2011, Brian began what has become a popular community event held at the Stadium Bowl of Stadium High School in Tacoma.
"Unleashed at Stadium Bowl" is a race to run all of the steps in the Stadium Bowl and it is the primary fund-raiser for Kindred Souls.
More than 500 racers are expected for this year's event on Aug. 4.
Brian's vision is to acquire 20 acres of land and fund the construction and operation of a future ‘No Kill Sanctuary' in Graham.
He believes that the kinder people are to animals, the kinder they will be to themselves and others.
Along with this Brian has also been very involved with the Lakewood YMCA since 1998.
During his time on the Chair of the advisory board from 2002-2005, the YMCA opened the "Teen Center" (21,000 square foot addition to the Lakewood YMCA) and made plans for the Gig Harbor YMCA.
This is an example of someone who truly is devoted to Servicemembers and has gone beyond to provide for the people and animals in the Pierce County communities.
You can visit http://www.kindredsoulsfoundation.org/ for more information on Maj. Nelson's non-profit or climb more than 1,700 steps right next to him on Aug. 4.
LINK: Howard O. Scott winner Staff Sgt. Stephen Ryan
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