Laid a hero to rest yesterday!

[RedAllison]

This is one of those stories that you don't hear about because of the medias fear of racial overtones. But lastweek a local locksmith was called to work on an ignition in a car in a local apartment complex (yes a Section 8 "slum" down in the hood). The call was answered by Troy Mitchell as it was 10:30am in the morning and any locksmith would've answered the call there in broad daylight. Police aren't sure but shortly after Troy started working on the car he was confronted by 4 black males thought to be gang members who were looking to rob him. A few minutes later Troy laid in the parking lot shot in the eye. He lived on a respirator for 2 days before he was unplugged and pronounced dead Wednesday morning of last week. There were 2 reasons he was left on the respirator, 1). So his organs could be donated and most importantly, 2). One of his sons who is stationed in Iraq was cleared to return home and frantically tried to get home before his father expired, but he was to late by about a day!

What some perhaps didn't know was the locksmith Troy Mitchell that we all knew here in Jackson, TN (he and his family are members of my church) had spent 22 years in the Marines were he was a HIGHLY decorated war hero and was considered one of the most prominent engineers and developers of modern Recon! He led the group who did the actual "hands on" final recon before Stormin Norman gave the command to begin the Gulf War. He was likewise of service in Bosnia and also many other assignments in various global locales. The last 5 years of his career were actually spent IN The Pentagon and he was there that fateful day on September 11, 2001 when a plane slammed thru 4 of 5 "rings" in The Pentagon. Troy's office collapsed and burned when wing fragments crashed through the roof but he evacuated the office then went into the crash site to get as many people out as he could.

Troy and his wife Kelly had 7 boys ranging in age from 27 to 5 years old! My wife was friends with Kelly as they taught kids on Wed night in our church together. We attended his funeral yesterday, which was quite a sendoff for a national hero. I've always said the most haunting yet beautiful sound is "Amazing Grace" played via bagpipes and kettle drums which were manned by the Marine Band. They also sent him off with the Marine Hymn.

http://www.wbbj.com/Troy%20Mitchell%20Tribute.html

Troy Mitchell laid to rest | jacksonsun.com | The Jackson Sun

MSgt (Ret)Troy Mitchell, 44, USMC Veteran, Jackson, TN, 04 NOV 09 > Patriot Guard Forums - Americans Doing the Right Thing > Patriot Guard Riders

You just wonder WHY such an amazing, upstanding AMERICAN HERO was allowed to be taken from this earth under such a worthless and tragic event? Yesterdays funeral was attended by the "whose who" of our city, the Mayor, the Police Chief etc... There is a manhunt under way like none other. GOD HELP the PUNKASS THUGS when they are found!!! A true hero erased for a few dollars in his pocket.

RIP GMS Troy Mitchell,

RA

From the Halls of Montezuma,
To the Shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land, and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
Of UNITED STATES MARINES.

Our flag's unfurled to every breeze,
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in every clime and place
Where we could take a gun;
In the snow of far off northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes;
You will find us always on the job --
The UNITED STATES MARINES.

Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve;
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes;
They will find the streets are guarded
By UNITED STATES MARINES.