CLARKS GROVE, Minn. — Editor’s Note: This story originally aired on Aug. 9, 2020.
Mickey Nelson passed away on May 14, 2024. Funeral services for Mickey will be held in Clarks Grove on June 27.
That date is significant. It would have been Mickey’s 104th birthday.
ORIGINAL STORY:
A WWII Veteran has completed a lofty goal he set in May.
At 100 years old, Mickey Nelson has finished a 100-mile walk, crossing the finish line two blocks from his Clarks Grove, Minnesota home as supporters cheered.
“He's a really special guy and we're just blessed to have him in our lives,” Mickey’s daughter, Michelle Kelm, said.
Britain's WWII veteran Tom Moore inspired Mickey by lapping his garden 100 times, while raising millions of dollars for England’s health care system.
“And dad said, ‘He's using a walker, I'm pretty sure I can walk 100 miles without a walker,’” Michelle said with a laugh in a May interview.
Mickey set a goal of raising $5000 dollars for the Salvation Army.
Instead, donors inspired by Mickey’s walk have chipped in more than $100,000.
Mickey, who grew up during the Great Depression, asked that the money be spent feeding people in need.
“Those were tough days in Depression days,” he said in a June interview. “I remember the bread lines in those days. They were lining up for something to eat. It left a mark on me that people needed food.”
Before walking his last mile, Mickey was treated to a WWII Jeep ride through Clarks Grove by a group of WWII reenactors.
The group made a stop at the Pour House bar where the reenactors sat with Mickey on a picnic table sipping sodas and gaining insight from a WWII genuine article.
Steve Briola, the Jeep’s owner, asked Mickey when he’d last ridden in an army Jeep.
“Well, it would be ‘43 I think,” Mickey said.
The reenactors were among several dozen people who walked along on the last leg of Mickey’s 100 miles.
They then saluted his accomplishment.
Major Sandy Hunt of the Albert Lea Salvation Army crossed the finish line with Mickey too. She praised his service to her organization.
“It’s going to feed a lot of people,” she said. “It’s going to do a lot of good.”
Boyd Huppert is always looking for great stories to share in the Land of 10,000 Stories! Send us your suggestions by filling out this form.
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