Havasu Veterans Spotlight: Randy Nelson, Air Force Military Police Hero of the Vietnam Era

In Lake Havasu City, Randy Nelson stands at the helm of a nonprofit initiative dedicated to supporting veterans. At 79 years old, he co-founded Stonebridge Veterans, inspired by a similar program he initiated in Payson. Launched in 2022, this organization began as a small meet-up for veterans and military spouses, but it has rapidly expanded to accommodate over 180 members under the Havasu Community Health Foundation.

Nelson’s military journey began in Southern California, where he grew up in a family with a rich service history; his father was in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Enlisting at 18 years old, he remembers the surprise it brought to his parents when he informed them of his decision shortly before his report date.

His service in the U.S. Air Force commenced in 1963, during the Vietnam era, presenting him with unique experiences. He received military police training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas before being stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, where he played a pivotal role in the operations of the first Minuteman missile wing.

“The security on all of them didn’t work very good, so they needed military police,” Nelson recounted, detailing his responsibilities that included escorting missiles to various sites and conducting security checks. His duties culminated in observing missile sites from helicopters, ensuring meticulous security protocols.

After volunteering for Vietnam, Nelson was assigned to Royal Air Force Upper Heyford in England for two years, continuing his military police duties there. Upon completing four and a half years of service, he was honored with the Air Force Commendation Medal and discharged as an airman first class.

Post-military life saw Nelson working in diverse roles, including in his father’s radio and television repair shop and with the California Highway Patrol. Most notably, he spent 25 years as a collision analyst and reconstructionist, even serving as an expert witness during legal proceedings before retiring in 2018.

Upon settling in Havasu, Nelson quickly sought to recreate the community bonding he had facilitated in Payson. “We used to do this thing in Payson called Veterans Coffee Time,” he shared, discussing how the idea to repeat this program took root in his new community.

Reflecting on his military experience, Nelson emphasizes the profound impact it had on his life. He credits his time in the Air Force with instilling a strong sense of duty and responsibility, while appreciating the rich connections he made along the way. “It gives you purpose in life. It teaches you to work for your goal and to achieve it,” he stated, highlighting the invaluable growth opportunities provided by military service.