Soldier killed in Hawaii helicopter crash laid to rest

Nelson was one of five soldiers killed after their Black Hawk helicopter crashed during a training exercise in Hawaii. He was an Antioch native, a former Fort Campbell soldier, an 11-year veteran who'd deployed to Afghanistan and Korea, and a husband and father.

Thursday, Nelson was laid to rest.

"He always made time for everybody," said Tyre Nelson, Michael Nelson's sister. "It's amazing that he always found that time. He made sure that each of us had a special relationship with him."

Every time her brother came home from deployment, Tyre Nelson always tried to be right there in the homecoming crowd.

"We made sure he knew we were happy he was back," she said. "I think one of my favorite things was sibling dates. We always made it a point to have our sibling dates and Dave and Buster's was one of our favorite spots."

Michael Nelson was one of eight children. Tyre Nelson said the bond with her brother was built on a shared love of history and biblical study. She watched him grow up, fall in love with wife, Brittany, and welcome their little girl, Gabbi.

"He was so terrified initially and super duper excited," laughed Tyre Nelson, remembering when her brother learned he'd be a father. "That was his little world. Everything became about Gabbi and Brittany."

In August, a Black Hawk helicopter carrying Michael Nelson and four other soldiers crashed off the coast of Oahu.

Thursday at Nashville National Cemetery, loved ones laid a dedicated family man to rest, all promising to look after his wife and little girl.

"I've read a lot about him being a soldier and serving his country, and that's great," Tyre Nelson. "That's amazing. He loved his siblings. He loved his wife and his daughter. He was a wonderful person."