I’ve known Chief Master Sgt. Kerry “Mitch” Mitchell since I was a teenager, and it gives me great pleasure to honor his life and service on this Veterans Day. Mitch retired from the Airforce January 10, 2016, after more than 31 years of service.
Mitchell joined the Arkansas Air National Guard in 1984. During his career, he deployed to Canada-Maple Flag, Israel, Saudi Arabia for Operation Southern Watch, Nellis Air Force Base during Red Flag and Green Flag and also served at his home station in support of Operation Northern Watch and Operation Enduring Freedom.
After Mitchell’s retirement ceremony at Ebbing Air Base, Senior Airman Cody Martin wrote:
Mitchell spoke of how his time at the 188th showed him the importance of relationships Airmen should have with one another and how it results in Airmen instilling the core values into their lives. “Integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do,” said Mitchell.
The ceremony included Chaplain (Col.) Thomas Smith and retired Lt. Col. Anderson Neal, former commander of the 188th MXS, and many guest speakers who spoke highly of Mitchell.
The speakers all mentioned Mitchell’s many leadership qualities, including how humble, dependable and reliable he is.
“[Mitchell] has 31 years of service, and no one that I asked could tell me one negative thing about him,” said Neal.
COL Neal’s quote, “no one could tell me one negative thing about him,” resonates with me. I have known Mitch for several decades and I can’t think of one negative thing he has ever done or said. What a legacy for God’s glory!!! My earliest memories of Mitch was playing basketball with him on Friday nights at our church gym. We both loved sports and most frequently came into contact in this context. What was remarkable to me was although he was a far superior athlete in relation to all of the other church crowd (especially me), he was always humble.
Although Mitch still works full time, he is also part of the church leadership team at Mission Boulevard Baptist Church. Every Sunday morning during family hour, he faithfully leads the service. And it’s always a special blessing to hear what we call “Mitch’s Random Thoughts.” He is a man of great wisdom and always manages to convey the most profound message in just a few words. In fact, if you’ve been reading these devotionals for very long, you’ve probably heard some of his thoughts. For example, the following quote by Mitch sparked an entire devotional:
“For those who put their life in God’s hands, they will find God’s hand in everything in their life.”
Thank you, my great friend and brother in Christ, Kerry Mitchell, for your inspiring service to our country and your faithful service to our Commander in Chief, Jesus Christ, for the Kingdom of Heaven! You are a blessing and example of the BE-Attitudes of Jesus in your service.
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12
My friend, you have fought the good fight and have done great and mighty works for God’s glory. Thank you for your sacrificial service!
4 Responses
Praise God Master Sgt. Mitchell’s service.
Amen sister!
My dad served in the Marines. He was sent into the Bay of Pigs in Cuba. Was shot at and lost most of his hearing in his right ear for the rest of his life. Thank you to all of our brave men and women who have and who continue to serve our country and the Lord. God bless them and their families.
Praise God for all our Vets!