Cpl. Nathan Carlson returns home in honor

MACHESNEY PARK, Ill. (WIFR) - A Harlem graduate turned Marine who tragically lost his life this month was escorted home on Thursday.

Corporal Nathan Carlson was participating in a Marine training exercise on June 8 when Osprey crashed, taking his life.

Thursday, Nathan completed his journey home, lead by a procession of hundreds of vehicles traveling from O’Hare airport to Loves Park city hall.

Friends and family of Carlson describe him as someone who always wanted to help others.

“Nathan was one of those guys that would always make sure his friends had what they needed. He would look them up, he would help them if they were having difficulty here or there. Nathan was a guy who lifted everybody up,” said John Cabello, a family friend of the Carlsons.

A 2019 graduate from Harlem High School, Nathan captained the swim team. According to his family, it was always Carlson’s dream of becoming a Marine. Following in the footsteps of his father his dream became a reality in August 2019.

In April 2021, he was deployed to Al Jaber Air Base in Kuwait, followed by a stint at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

When he returned, he married the love of his life, Emily.

Multiple businesses including Mission Barbecue and Blue 815 have rallied behind the Carlson family in their time of need. Keith McDonald, Nathan’s uncle, says he’s overwhelmed by the amount of support.

“The outpouring of love in the community has been unbelievable. We’ve had so many donations and people dropping things off in the house, and the Jamie Cox Foundation and Blue 815 and so many great partners that are with us in helping make sure we honor Nathan,” McDonald told 23 News.

A link to Nathan’s obituary can be found here.

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