A True American Hero Passes

[NDLawyer]

By now you have probably all heard that former NFL safety Pat Tillman was killed in Afghanistan. This is a young man who could have earned millions of dollars in the NFL but chose to become an Army Ranger after 9/11.

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/foot...lled/index.html

 

http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/pasquarelli...en/1387154.html

 

[Walter63a]

Yes ND, he is a true American hero, and it is sad to think that he probably will have many more new American heroes to join him soon!!! Don't get me wrong, I appreciate his sacrifice. It demonstrated true courage, yet my world is diminished (because of his death)!! http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/sad.gif http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/blink.gif http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/ph34r.gif Regards, Walter

[NDLawyer]

I agree Walter, and I don't mean to diminish the sacrifice of any members of our armed forces or civilians. What made this unique is that Mr. Tillman gave up his career as a professional athlete to serve our country. This wasn't unusal in World War II or the Korean War, but I bet it will be a long time before we see it again.

[Walter63a]

Yes ND, people (generally speaking) of our 'modern age' definately do not possess the same patriotism, spirit of sacrifice, and integrity that people of the WWII and Korean War generation demonstrated. http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/sad.gif http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/mad.gif http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/ph34r.gif http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/cool.gif Regards, Walter

[Deputy 89C6]

This really hits home with me. Last Sunday my son told me over the phone that he had accepted and signed a Ranger contract offered to him by his company commander. He starts his training at Fort Benning Monday 26 April.

 

These kids in the military are as fine a group of soldiers that have ever worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. I grieve for every one of them that falls in service to their country.

 

Steve

[Walter63a]

Very true Deputy 89C6, and I certainly did not intend to take anything away from the sacrifice of so many brave men and women, who are protecting this nation. http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/smile.gif http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/cool.gif I wish them all Godspeed, and a safe return! http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/smile.gif Regards, Walter

[Ron Mills]

I add my somber salute to the passing of Mr. Tillman, and all the other heroes. I was really moved by the story of the "football hero turned soldier". Pride runs deep in this country. Steve, you can be especially proud of your son and his Ranger contract; I'm sure you are.

I'm sure the situation over there is much more complicated than I will ever know, but every time I watch "Blackhawk Down", I wonder if we're doing the same thing again. Bless all that are over there, and preparing to go over there. They're all heroes to me. I'm playing and conducting a concert out in Goodland, KS on Sunday with a WW2 theme, posters on loan from the Smithsonian, Andrews Sisters tribute group, a Rosie the Riveter look-alike contest, the whole 9 yards. It sure will feel good.

[21 smoker]

Pat Tillman epitomizes everything good about this country....self sacrifice,devotion and the willingness to make this world better... I`ll will truly miss him,out.

[Nick Iannamico]

Tillman is an absolute hero, along with the rest of the troops... I'm sure not one other athlete making millions would give it all up to serve... In fact I don't think any of them have. (unless drafted)

[full auto 45]

Pat Tillman may be a great person for giving up a career worth millions to fight for his country, but remember there are many who don't have a career to give up and go fight. They all do it for the same reason. Pat was so moved by 9/11 that he and his brother joined the army to fight terrorism. Thousands of others did the same thing, I wanted to re-up but was to old. Right out of high school. Why doesn't the media say as much about the ones that died fighting like Pat did? It doesn't touch the public. There have been several kids from the Indianapolis area killed over there and the most they got was a headline the day they were buried. That just gets my goat. Yes Pat was a hero, who died for his country, so were the others.

 

ok, I'm done.

[Arthur Fliegenheimer]

MSNBC attempted to put Mitch Albom's radio show on TV but it failed miserably, not solely due to the fact Mitch has a face better suited for radio, but his opinions mirror that of a younger Andy Rooney. One such pusillanimous pontificating old goat is enough on TV.

 

The idea that a celebrity sports figure would fight in combat for his country instead of commiting domestic attrocities like knifing their ex-wives, shot- gunning their limo drivers, hiring contract killers to off their spouse, or playing slap and tickle with groupies regardless of their marriage vows, just doesn't have the kind of sizzle that most media outlets prefer for ratings. I mean where is the carnival atmosphere of a trial?

 

Most sports writers and commentators, as well as many individuals, consider those who play professional sports "heroes." What could possibly be heroic about doing what you do best for copious remuneration and little risk to your life has always been a head scratch for me. Not since Rocky Blier (even though he was drafted), has an athlete put it all on the line at great sacrifice to his/her life and lifestyle. Even though Tillman eschewed any lime light for doing what his commrades were doing without any fanfare, leave it to those people of crippled intellect to now hold it against Tillman that America wants to publicly show their appreciation for how he not only stands out among his professional sports peers, but indeed to everyday Americans

[21 smoker]

Amen,... A.F.

[Walter63a]

Yes Arthur, I couldn't agree more! Look what really does well on prime- time American television, the so-called reality shows, which could only appear real to those on copious amounts of mind altering drugs. http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/blink.gif http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/unsure.gif Most people in modern America wouldn't recognize a real hero, someone to admire, someone to aspire to be like, if he was about to roll over Osama Bin Laden, while passing them on a (or a paramedic saving a life, a teacher doing a really good job in the inner city, a surgeon doing brain or heart surgery pro bono, and many others doing extraordinary things in the courses of their 'ordinary' lives, etc) tank! http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/cool.gif Regards, Walter

[full auto 45]

Don't take me wrong. I was very sad to hear of Tillman's death. And yes I wish more of the sports "hero's" would get out of their own ego ways and do the same. I don't consider and of the sport players to be "hero's" in any way. Christ look at all the major league baseball players on coke or crack or some other drug! For God's sake if I was busted say, 14 times for cocain possesion, like someone named Darrell, I sure wouldn't be getting a bonus or even have a job to go to. No I would be a prison bitch for the next 60 years to someone named Bubba! And AF I do agree with your comment. I also think 21 smoker put it the best.

[LSU Tiger]

OK, let's see... Here's a guy that leaves a career to serve his country in wartime. What's the deal? He was killed doing it. No fanfare, no medals, no parades. In many ways no different than the 285,000+ in W.W. II or the 58,000 in Vietman. In these days of "me", it's a throw-back 60 years. For the liberal press, that's the big deal.

 

Rest In Peace, Ranger.

Edited April 27, 2004 by LSU Tiger

[NDLawyer]

Just got back in town from a week in court in Western Kansas, no e-mail access. Brace yourselves, the board may freeze over:

 

I agree with Arthur's post.

 

 

This week's Sports Illustrated has two good articles: One about Mr. Tillman, the second is on the last page just inside the back cover titled :The Hero and the Unknown Soldier by Rick Reilly. This second article not only discusses Mr. Tillman's sacrifice but the sacrifice of Todd Bates, a young man who joined the National Guard so he could go to college.

[LSU Tiger]

I saw a spot on the news last night where Tillman is to be awarded the Silver Star. I don't know what happened over there, and he probably earned it, but I smell something foul. Like Kerry's Silver Star.

[junglewalk]

God Bless him, all our other guys & gals, battling these SOB murdering animals.....There is no reasoning with them;;; their upbringing from infancy on up, being taught to hate with all their fiber, America, Isreal and Europe.......They understand only bullet, shell & bomb !....

 

Let Afghanastan & Iraq suck in more of these misguided animals, and be exterminated by our marines & soldiers.....instead of having them blow up our folks in our streets, because they were left intact over there..Keep them on the run....hello to WWIII....I want to be there so much, but Iam a has-been......God Bless them all, Tillman & my son-inlaw....