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LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATE AWARDED TERRORISM MEDAL

District 25 candidate for the House of Representatives Stace Nelson, was recently awarded the Secretary of Defense Medal for the Global War on Terrorism for service while an NCIS agent in the Philippines.

Graceland Cemetery, Mitchell, SD – August 20^th, 2010 – In an emotional private ceremony, Stace Nelson, a retired NCIS Investigator, was awarded the Secretary of Defense Medal for the Global War on Terrorism, at the grave of his father Doug Nelson Sr.

Nelson’s last operational assignment was working in support of the NCIS Force Protection Detachment office in the United States Embassy in Manila, Philippines where he assisted that office from August 2007-August 2008. On June 7^th, 2010, the Director of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), on behalf of the Secretary of Defense, recognized Nelson’s previous contributions to NCIS Manila’s efforts to combat terrorism, with the authorization of the medal.

“The GWOT Medal was created to recognize and honor the contributions of DoD civilians in direct support of our military members engaged in operations to combat terrorists⁽¹⁾” Eligibility criteria require awardees to have served in hostile areas in direct support of the Global War on Terrorism.

Nelson opted not to attend a formal awards ceremony at NCISHQ in Washington, D.C., and instead chose to be awarded the medal at his father’s grave. He explained that his father was unable to attend previous awards of Nelson’s numerous other commendations due to his father’s duties locally as a SD Highway Patrolman and Nelson’s lengthy assignments overseas. Alexandria American Legion Post #41 Commander Al Johnson officiated over the awards ceremony. Commander Johnson & Nelson’s brother, Doug Nelson Jr, pinned Nelson with the medal & lapel pin.

In an emotional statement to his family, Nelson stated “I want to thank the Good Lord for watching over me all those years.” He apologized for the sacrifices his family were forced to endure as a result of his lengthy service and explained that he came by that dedication and love for country from his father. Nelson said the country must have people serving that will put the needs of the country first. He told his family that is the reason why he accepted the call to run for office. He stated that after his concerned emails were ignored by two of his elected representatives, and after reviewing their voting records, it was clear that “the voters in District 25 deserve to have a choice of a public servant over a politician.” Nelson said he will do his best to get his message out to the voters and asked for his family’s continued support.

Douglas L. Nelson Sr served as a SD Highway Patrolman for over 32 years in the Salem, Sioux Falls, & Mitchell area. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and died in 2001 at the age of 58.

Stace Nelson retired in November 2008 from the NCIS Far East Field Office in Yokosuka Japan after 23 ½ years of combined federal and Marine Corps service. Civilian awards include certificate of merit from the Director NCIS; letter of commendation from the Director NCIS; letter of appreciation from Director of the Hiroshima Japan Narcotic Control Office; letter of appreciation from the Chief of Police Iwakuni City Japan, etc. Military awards include the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal; Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal 2^nd award; National Defense Service Medal; Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal 4^th award; Meritorious Unit Commendation; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon 7^th award; Overseas Service ribbon 2^nd award; USMC Rifle Expert Badge 4^th award; and USMC Pistol Expert badge 12^th award.

(1) U.S. Army Civilian Personnel Online. Retrieved August 22^nd, 2010 from http://www.cpol.army.mil/library/mer/awards/gwot-medal.html

(March 26th Response to Mr. Sorenson's printed complaints)

Dear Editor,
There is supposedly no royalty in the USA and officials are supposed to answer to us. Politicians across this nation have taken the arrogant stance that they can do whatever they want regardless of the will of the people. Voters concerned about health-care bills being rammed through Congress, or how/why elected officials voted on an issue, are often ignored outright or dismissed as “confrontational.”

In Alexandria on March 13th, District 25 Sen. Ahlers (D) & Rep. Sorenson (D) repeatedly claimed to vote or be “like conservative Republican(s).” I respectfully asked Rep. Sorenson to please justify those comments with his stance of supporting giving protection to gender identity (man believes he is a woman in a man’s body, etc., etc) in South Dakota's anti-discrimination laws (1); his voting NO on HB 1085(2) “Prohibit certain interaction between children and registered sex offenders at youth activities;” voting NO on HB 1244(2) “Increase the penalty for solicitation of a minor;” missing the votes on HB 1110(2) (amended) Increase penalties for repeat statutory rape offenders; and, HB 1119(2) “Prohibit certain acts of sexual penetration and contact between certain school employees and students and to provide penalties therefor.” Rep. Sorenson stated he missed the votes so he could take 2 days off, of the 38 days of session, to attend a wrestling match. He stated he did not know why he voted against the other bills but protested that my questions about his voting record were “confrontational” and unfair. Both he and Sen. Ahlers stated they would look for my previous unanswered email inquiries (responded to by their colleagues) and they would provide responses to those and explanations as to why they voted against bills to protect our children (Sen. Ahlers 1244(2) only). As of this date, neither has provided the responses they promised.

I am a candidate because first and foremost I am a concerned father, grandfather, & retired cop (23 ½ years USMC & NCIS). Those bills were important for SD children. Our country as a whole is in dire straits due in large part to chameleon politicians who will be and say anything to get elected and then do as they please once in office. I am clearly no politician. I say what I mean, I mean what I say, and my word is my bond. You VOTERS decide what is best for our state and America. In doing so, please question boldly and demand answers as it is your right. Our children and grandchildren’s futures depend on it.

God bless & Semper Fidelis,

Stace Nelson
District 25 Republican Candidate for South Dakota House of Representatives

(1) Oren Sorenson, 2008, Project Vote Smart. Retrieved March 13, 2010 from http://votesmart.org/npat.php?can_id=104015
(2) South Dakota Legislature 2010 Session Bill List. Retrieved March 13, 2010 from http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2010/BillList.aspx

Nomination as Republican Candidate Petiton filed with the Secretary of State
On February 4th, Stace Nelson's nomination petition was received by the Secretary of State and Stace Nelson was confirmed to be a Republican candidate for the District 25 House of Representatives 2010 election.

Stace Nelson Announces Candidacy for District 25 House of Representatives

Stace Nelson officially announced his Republican candidacy for District 25 House of Representatives on Tuesday, January 26, 2010, after meeting with numerous community, county, and state Republican members who encouraged him to run for office.

Fulton, SD - January 26, 2010 - After meeting with numerous community, county, and state Republican members, Stacey "Stace" Victor Nelson, officially announced his Republican candidacy for the District 25 House of Representatives 2010 election, on Tuesday, January 26, 2010.

Nelson, is a fourth generation South Dakotan who grew up in the Salem, Sioux Falls, and rural Mitchell communities where his father Douglas L. Nelson Sr served for 32 ½ years as a South Dakota Highway Patrolman. Nelson followed a long family custom of military service and joined the Marine Corps after graduating high school in ‘85. He served in the Marines for 13 ½ years as a military policeman, marksmanship instructor, criminal investigator, and as an NCIS Special Agent. Nelson accomplished 5 ½ years of college through Excelsior College while working full time as a Marine and as a federal agent for NCIS. Upon his honorable discharge, due to injuries sustained in the line of duty, Nelson continued his law enforcement career as a civilian working as an NCIS Investigator until his retirement from federal service after a combined tenure of 23 ½ years.

Nelson is an elder and member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Mitchell; the Hanson County Republican Party Committee Man; a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, Fleet Reserve Association, and Cowboy Fast Draw Association; a member of the American Legion, and National Rifle Association; a past member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, as well as the Federal Criminal Investigator Association; and, the former Committee Chairman of Troop 35, Far East Council.

Nelson is married to Mrs. Aiza M. Nelson, originally from Tarlac, Philippines. Stace and Aiza reside together on a small hobby farm North of Fulton with Stace's youngest three teenage daughters Megumi (17), Erika (15), and Thomina (13). Stace's eldest son Shawn (22), as well as his daughter Lindi (24) and grandson Parker, live in Sioux Falls.