Denise Mickel Russell: Arlington provides a majestic end to a serviceman's life
Apr 9, 2018It took me back 10 years to March 25, 2008, when my family and I traveled to Arlington to bury my father, Mitchell M. Mickel.I didn’t know what to expect that day. I had never been to Arlington for a funeral. Little did I know how well thought-out the services are, how the staff takes such good care of family members, how respectful they were toward my father at such a beautiful military service — and how this place was so majestic.In his 80s, my father suffered from dementia. One thing he was able to do before he passed away was to write his own obituary. When I read it, I thought: For a man who had a long military career, he kept it very simple.He wrote that he passed away at age 85 — and that he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. After reading this, I immediately began to research what it would take for him to be buried there, so that I could honor my father’s wish.I read the booklet that was provided, gathered up his military records for proof of service, and became prepared in every way I could before his passing to make things easier for my mother.***When he did pass away in January 2008 at the age of 85, the local funeral home made all the final arrangements with Arlington National Cemetery on our behalf. A date for burial needed to be selected and we choose the date of his birthday, March 25.My father received a full military honors funeral. The majesty of the service — from the horses to the music the band played, to the 21-gun salute — is really something to see and is not easily forgotten.My cousin, who attended the funeral, asked if I was OK with her taking pictures, and I told her that I was fine with it. To this day when I look back at the pictures, I’m still amazed at the shots she took.My father’s final resting place is the most perfect place in the cemetery for him. He had a long military career of 26 years in the Air Force. He retired as a lieutenant colonel.He served in three wars: World War II, when he was in the Army at Anzio, Italy, and receiv... (Richmond.com)
