Taps for a true Hero

Taps for a true Hero

I wanted to tell you of the death of a true Marine Hero, my sweetheart, MSgt. Troy Gary Mitchell (retired). He served 22 years and during that time was in Operation Desert Storm, Bosnia, Mobile AL (where he did body recovery for the Amtrack that went into the bayou), Okinawa, Camp Pendleton, Camp Lejeune and the Pentagon (he was present on 9/11). He was 44 years old and my husband for almost 25 years, daddy of 7 boys and “Pops” to a little grand-daughter. After retiring, he became a locksmith and started his own business “Mitchell’s Lock & Safe” in Jackson, TN. As in all things because of his honesty, integrity and self-discipline his business was growing and doing well. On October 28th, 2009, he was working on a customer’s car switching out a faulty ignition at 9:30 am. A 15 year old that was given a gun by a 24 year old robbed him at gunpoint and shot him in the face. The next night, October 29th, as it became clear that he would not be here much longer our family sang Amazing Grace around his bedside and he marched into Eternal Glory. As in life, he was the same in death, giving all he had. He was an organ donor and because of his gift of life 5 men’s lives are restored. An insulin dependent diabetic is no longer taking injections. He was and is a true American Hero in every sense of the word. He bravely served his God, Country and Corps. The world is not as good as it was. I look forward to the day I see him again. I know he’ll look amaing guarding those gates of Heaven. I miss my Marine. Kelly Mitchell