100-Year-Old Minnesota WWII Vet To Hit 100 Miles Tonight In Clarks Grove

Recently minted 100-year-old World War II Army Veteran Mickey Nelson is on the cusp of his 100-mile walking goal. Tonight at First Baptist Church in Clarks Grove, with 99.5 miles walked, Nelson will wrap up his final half a mile. While the 100 miles is impressive in and of itself, it's the goal he surpassed in fundraising that is equally eye-opening. Nelson has raised over $100,000 for the Salvation Army Food Shelf in his quest to walk 100-miles.

According to a Facebook event for tonight:

Follow along as 100-year-old WWII Veteran Mickey Nelson finishes his 100 mile journey on Wednesday August 5th. Assemble at the First Baptist Church parking lot in Clarks Grove at 4:15 pm. Together we will walk a partial mile as Mickey has over 99.50 miles already completed.

Mickey will arrive at 4:15 in a WWII Army Jeep to lead the way along with KARE 11’s Boyd Huppert of Land of 10,000 Stories, Major Sandy Hunt of the Albert Lea Salvation Army, as well as WWII Re-enactment group called the 105th.org and Representative Peggy Bennett!

We look forward to celebrating this magnificent milestone with you! Mickey wishes he could visit and take photos with each and every one of you but unfortunately due to covid19 restrictions he cannot. His family greatly appreciates your respect for him.

The Salvation Army donation page states that it was Nelson's daughters who challenged him to raise money to Feed the Hungry during the COVID19 crisis. Nelson has been walking each day towards a cumulative goal of 100 miles. You can still donate, here. 

Let's fill up the parking lot, heck make it the town of Clarks Grove in support of a man who was brave enough to fight for our freedom in World War II, and now is brave enough to fight hunger in our communities.