Inevitably, whenever there's a project that needs to be done, Lance Nelson's hand will go up and he'll say, "I can do that."

Whether he's coaching one of his kids' baseball teams, or he's acting as the president of his elementary school's PTA, or he's the president of his neighborhood association, or he's reading to children in a classroom at school, or he's helping with the Boy Scouts, Nelson is always ready to roll up his sleeves and help. He's the perpetual volunteer.

As a community thank you, Nelson, a reservist in the 446 Airlift Wing at McChord Field, is this year's Howard O. Scott Citizen-Airman of the Year recipient. The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber presented Nelson the award Tuesday in a ceremony at the La Quinta Inn.

"He's always been involved, volunteering," said Christine Nelson, Lance's wife. "It's in his blood. He just wants to be there for everybody."

Nelson's father, a high school teacher and coach, was the one who was his role model, an influence in volunteering. Larry Nelson was always involved in Boy Scouts and coaching and still does the PA at Bethel High School's football, basketball and wrestling events.

Lance Nelson also saw the importance of mentoring when he was a teacher at Green Hill, a juvenile detention center in Chehalis.

"I saw kids who were not positively affected," Nelson said. "That showed me the importance of mentoring."

Besides being an Air Force reservist, Nelson's full-time job is as a fireman and an EMT for the West Pierce Fire and Rescue. He's volunteered for that fire district's public education team, teaching fire prevention and safety to children in elementary schools. He's also volunteered for the Read Across America Program.

Wednesday, Nelson, a father of three children, will coach two youth baseball teams and he'll also help lead a PTA meeting.

"My day is pretty booked," he said.

This spring he'll again coach two baseball teams - with one of his children on each team. Besides coaching baseball, basketball, football and soccer over the years, Nelson is also on the board of the Bethel Recreation Association, which oversees youth sports.

Besides sports, Nelson is also involved in his kids' Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, often going on weekend camp outs.

In his acceptance speech for his award, Nelson thanked his employers for their flexibility in his work schedule. He then turned to his wife and thanked her.

"Thanks for supporting me," he said. "Thanks for pushing me. Thanks for making sure that my schedule on the calendar is right and that I'm where I'm supposed to be at the right time."

Sometimes, Nelson admitted with a chuckle, he loses track where he's supposed to be.

"Sometimes I've got too many things going on in my head and I show up at the wrong place," he said.

Nelson then thanked his parents, Larry and Debbie.

"Thanks for being such great role models for me," Nelson said. "For showing me what it is to get out there and coach and role model, mentoring young kids."

Nelson, who is a master sergeant with the 729^th Airlift Squadron, is a flight leader in the squadron and manages training as a reservist.

Each year, the Citizen-Soldier (Airman) Award is presented to memorialize Howard Scott, who grew up in Tacoma and served in World War II. After the war, he worked as a banker in Tacoma and volunteered for community projects.