Wounded Marine welcomed home by 1,000 including veteran of Iwo Jima

Wounded Marine gets hero's welcome
By KEITH MORELLI
The Tampa Tribune
Published: February 20, 2012
TAMPA

More than 1,000 well-wishers greeted Marine Cpl. Mike Nicholson as he arrived home Sunday at Tampa International Airport. Jim Reed Staff

U.S. Marine Cpl. Mike Nicholson emerged from the Tampa International Airport Airside F shuttle Sunday to a resonating roar from about 1,000 people welcoming home the wounded soldier.

Nicholson lost both legs and his left arm in an explosion in Afghanistan seven months ago.

John Residence had something to say to him, and something to give him.

Nicholson slowly pushed his own wheelchair down the gauntlet of people thanking him for his service and sacrifice. The 22-year-old Tampa native and Plant High School graduate greeted everyone with a smile and handshake, appearing at times to be overcome with emotion.

Residence, an 85-year-old retired Marine from Clearwater, waited patiently for Nicholson to come his way.

"He's a hero," said Residence, dressed in a burgundy sport coat, a blue-and-white tie and a red cloth cap with gold lettering. He doesn't know Nicholson or his family, but Nicholson is part of the larger Marine family.

So is Residence. He fought the Japanese at Iwo Jima. For 36 days he was on the island, he said. He was wounded, but refused to be taken to a hospital ship.

"I told them that as long as Marines were being killed I wasn't going anywhere," he said.
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