Committal Service
Linda Thabet Mickel
October 4, 2010; 2:00
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Virginia
Chaplain, Captain Anthony R. Wade, officiate
These hallowed marble stones that surround us bear not only the names of those who served with honor and valor, proudly wearing the uniform of our nation’s armed forces, but many markers also bear the names of those who served and sacrificed supporting their loved ones and our nation. Today we have come into this garden of stone, to this final resting place, to honor Linda Thabet Mickel. Each of us has been given the precious gift of life. Linda embraced that gift during times of trial and during times of great joy. Hers was a life well-lived; hers is a legacy of love. For over 50 years, she loved and supported her husband, Mitchell. She stood by him through his years of military service. Those years took them to Langley, Virginia; to the Philippines, to New Mexico and Ohio. There were times of separation, when Mitchell was in Korea and other times when he was away on temporary duty. Remembering Linda’s role as an Air Force wife, I offer this adaptation of the poem, “The Silent Ranks”:
She wore no uniform, no blues or camouflage green,
But Linda was in the Air Force – in ranks rarely seen.
She had no rank on her shoulders, salutes she did not give,
But the military world was the place where Linda lived.
She wasn’t in the chain of command, orders she did not get.
But her husband, Mitchell, was the one who did. This she did not forget.
She wasn’t the one who delivered weapons, who put her life on the line.
But her job was just as tough: she was the one left behind.
Her husband was a patriot, a brave and honorable man.
The call to serve his country not all could understand.
Behind the lines she saw the things that keep our country free.
Her husband made the sacrifice, but so did her daughters, and so did she.
She loved the man she married, serving our country was his life,
And proudly standing among the silent ranks was Linda, a devoted Air Force wife.
I know that your mom truly was the wind beneath your dad’s wings. And it is fitting that she should take her place here in this cemetery of heroes. For she too is a hero among heroes – the thousands of spouses who stood faithfully by their men. Linda’s passing leaves a deep void, and I pray that your fond memories of her will help sustain you now and in the days to come.
Who Linda wa and how she lived – the fullness of a life so well-lived, a life of faith, hope, and love, remind us of words from Proverbs 31:
Who can find a virtuous woman? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good … all the days of her life. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Linda’s life was one of faith, hope, and love. Her faith and hope are now fulfilled as she has entered into the joy of her Lord. And her soul lives on, loving God and all her brothers and sisters in heaven, including her beloved Mitchell. They were separated by death, and now they have been reunited by death. Physically they lived in this world; and now they are together again.
Let us pray.
O God, our Father, from whom we come, unto whom we return, and in whom we live and move and have our being: We praise You for Your good gift of life; for its wonder and mystery, its friendships and fellowships.
We give thanks to You for Linda Mickel, recalling all in her that made others love her. We bless You for the goodness and truth that have passed from her life into the lives of others, and have made the world richer for her presence.
Father of mercies, and God of all comfort: Look down in compassion upon these whose joy has been turned into mourning. Especially do we pray for Linda’s family and close friends. Enable them to find in You their refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.
We thank You, God, that deep in the human heart is an unquenchable trust that life does not end with death; that You, who made us, will care for us beyond the bounds of vision, even as You have cared for us in this earthly world. This we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
And now, unto the mercy of Almighty God, we commend the soul of Linda Thabet Mickel, departed, and we commit her body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
And now may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and may the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you, and remain with you always. Amen.
Linda Thabet Mickel
October 4, 2010; 2:00
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Virginia
Chaplain, Captain Anthony R. Wade, officiate
These hallowed marble stones that surround us bear not only the names of those who served with honor and valor, proudly wearing the uniform of our nation’s armed forces, but many markers also bear the names of those who served and sacrificed supporting their loved ones and our nation. Today we have come into this garden of stone, to this final resting place, to honor Linda Thabet Mickel. Each of us has been given the precious gift of life. Linda embraced that gift during times of trial and during times of great joy. Hers was a life well-lived; hers is a legacy of love. For over 50 years, she loved and supported her husband, Mitchell. She stood by him through his years of military service. Those years took them to Langley, Virginia; to the Philippines, to New Mexico and Ohio. There were times of separation, when Mitchell was in Korea and other times when he was away on temporary duty. Remembering Linda’s role as an Air Force wife, I offer this adaptation of the poem, “The Silent Ranks”:
She wore no uniform, no blues or camouflage green,
But Linda was in the Air Force – in ranks rarely seen.
She had no rank on her shoulders, salutes she did not give,
But the military world was the place where Linda lived.
She wasn’t in the chain of command, orders she did not get.
But her husband, Mitchell, was the one who did. This she did not forget.
She wasn’t the one who delivered weapons, who put her life on the line.
But her job was just as tough: she was the one left behind.
Her husband was a patriot, a brave and honorable man.
The call to serve his country not all could understand.
Behind the lines she saw the things that keep our country free.
Her husband made the sacrifice, but so did her daughters, and so did she.
She loved the man she married, serving our country was his life,
And proudly standing among the silent ranks was Linda, a devoted Air Force wife.
I know that your mom truly was the wind beneath your dad’s wings. And it is fitting that she should take her place here in this cemetery of heroes. For she too is a hero among heroes – the thousands of spouses who stood faithfully by their men. Linda’s passing leaves a deep void, and I pray that your fond memories of her will help sustain you now and in the days to come.
Who Linda wa and how she lived – the fullness of a life so well-lived, a life of faith, hope, and love, remind us of words from Proverbs 31:
Who can find a virtuous woman? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good … all the days of her life. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Linda’s life was one of faith, hope, and love. Her faith and hope are now fulfilled as she has entered into the joy of her Lord. And her soul lives on, loving God and all her brothers and sisters in heaven, including her beloved Mitchell. They were separated by death, and now they have been reunited by death. Physically they lived in this world; and now they are together again.
Let us pray.
O God, our Father, from whom we come, unto whom we return, and in whom we live and move and have our being: We praise You for Your good gift of life; for its wonder and mystery, its friendships and fellowships.
We give thanks to You for Linda Mickel, recalling all in her that made others love her. We bless You for the goodness and truth that have passed from her life into the lives of others, and have made the world richer for her presence.
Father of mercies, and God of all comfort: Look down in compassion upon these whose joy has been turned into mourning. Especially do we pray for Linda’s family and close friends. Enable them to find in You their refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.
We thank You, God, that deep in the human heart is an unquenchable trust that life does not end with death; that You, who made us, will care for us beyond the bounds of vision, even as You have cared for us in this earthly world. This we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
And now, unto the mercy of Almighty God, we commend the soul of Linda Thabet Mickel, departed, and we commit her body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
And now may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and may the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you, and remain with you always. Amen.