I have to say I am humbled by what Pat Tillman did, and I salute him for his patriotism.

My biggest point is me being a Soldier, my wife being a Soldier, my friends all being Soldiers. Having friends that have recently made the ultimate sacrafice in Iraq, I was just very touched, impressed, and honored back when I read that Pat Tillman enlisted. Giving up his life as a sports star, driving Ferraris, or whatever he wanted, to work with me, to be like me.

He went from being one of the untouchables in our lives, to being just one of the guys you serve with, tell stories with, and fight along side, a guy who sees you the same as him.

Every Soldier, every Americans life is precious, and sad when lost, but what Pat Tillman did was somthing that made me proud to be in the same Army as him, and now I am deeply saddened that his deep conviction of patriotism and selfless service to country cost him his life. Thing is he knew what he was doing and had a very big choice, be a millionaire star, or live in a tent, be away from home, and get shot at.

How many millionaires have these personal attributes? I'd have to say none, because none have done what he did. For that I salute Pat Tillman as a man who went way beyond what the average or for that matter anyone in his circumstances would have done. Again, he is a hero and someone who has led by example of what selfless service is.
Godspped Pat
Jerry

His patriotism was an inspiration, giving up his "dream job" to serve our country.

This guy was deeper than 99% of us. I could only ever dream to be as noble as he was during his 27 years. From what I have read and seen in interviews about him since I first heard about him in 2000 when my team(St. Louis Rams) showed BIG interest in him. The rams coming off of their Super Bowl season were by far the most attractive team in Pro sports at that time. They wanted him bad and tried to lure him from the lowly Cardinals for BIG money, but he said ....nah you guys didn't want me out of college and Arizona did... that's where my loyalty stays! WOW.... that was way before 911, and consequntally way before his decision to go into the mouth of the enemy. Don't forget that his brother Kevin also left his career of choice to serve as well, but now will need to carry on the family name in honor.

I honestly cannot imagine the respect Pat must have commanded by others. He was highly intelligent, loyal, passionate, adventerous, physically superior, proud, loving man. I tell ya..... he was a REAL MAN!

One of his past coaches earlier today remarked that he had said long ago before all of this even happen or was thought of that Pat Tillman was presidential material..... although Pat would have NEVER considered it.

It is such a shame to think that a superior member of society was cut short in such a circumstance while my brother-in-law wastes oxygen on a daily basis. graemlins/sad.gif

The Tillman family must be an incredible group of people.

Without getting too political and risk getting this post pulled; I think this tragic event will now put a face to the death toll that has been "swept under the rug" thus far..... I just wish that EVERY SINGLE life lost was honored like Pat's. War is costly and we can and are losing something more important than a war..... our lives.

The news reports today stated that he earned his degree in marketing with a 3.84 average in three years while playing football on the ASU Sundevils. Then he turns down a bunch of money to go to St Louis because he had a loyalty to Arizona Cardinals. He rode a bike to practices, did not own a cell phone. No bling here. Then Sept 11 hits and he feels a responsibility to join the army Rangers and fight for our freedom. This guy was truly an amazing patriot.

First, I wish to extend my condolences to the Tillman family. The selflessness, and bravery of Pat Tillman is an inspiration to all who serve. His motivations were truely patriotic. I do not get the impression that he felt himself to be a "superior member of society"(whaever that is).

Richz28 - Yes, it is a shame that every soldier killed in this WAR is not recognized on the news for an entire day, but, they are not being "swept under the rug" either. Unfortunately, some people do not consider this to be an actual "WAR". Let me assure you that it is. Certain factions of the Arab population consider the USA to be their "enemy" for one reason or another. They are goofballs, but they are goofballs with guns! The idea is to kill them before they kill us. It's that simple.

Ya, what all of you said. Amazing!

Pat Tillman was a great hero, but we all need to remember how much we owe to all of the guys that serve our country such as sherr20. Thank you guys very much. You guys and gals in uniform are our greatest asset. Thank You! graemlins/waving.gif

John,


First it is "Richz68"......


I never implied that Pat, his brother and any member of the Tillman family have ever felt that they were "superior members of society"

"whaever that is"....... A superior member of society is just that. I guess you misunderstood that I was merely making an assumption of a man from what I have heard about him before and after his tour of duty.


I also think that you misunderstood my comment about the others before Pat in this "war". I absolutely think that this is a WAR, but I just question the motives of initiation and or true reasons for remaining ther. People usually either love or hate from their heart.... the middle east primarily hates the people who think, live, or pray unlike themselves. When you couple that with the fact that we invaded their land and killed MANY more than we have heard about and continue to be seen there we cannot expect them to throw a parade for us..... would we? We are expecting our victims to smile and ask for more..... face it there might even be a majority of civilains there that are glad we did what we did, but hatred will breed itself deeper and stronger than ever before and I'm confident that it has already begun....remeber their troops average age is 14.... not too far off is it?

I would like to have meet anyone in the service like Mr. Tillman to thank them for doing what they felt was right, but I can't they are gone.... he was not the only "superior member of society" to ever give their life for me in this, but unfortunately he was the only one that people could connect with.

I LOVE THIS COUNTRY, THE ARMED FORCES, OUR GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE, but just not B-S like this.... death is horrible not matter how you slice it. I just can't stand hearing things like....


"And today in Iraq; nine marines were killed in an ambush in a small town......next after the break; Jo-Lo was spotted with a famous singer at a New York City nightclub". graemlins/sad.gif graemlins/sad.gif

Trust me I do not want to see how they were killed or pictures of their lifeless bodies, but tell me what we are losing for this cause... in the name of all that is righjt and honorable. Some would probably not want any attention like Mr. Tillman, but I know what is right and what is wrong.... their lives deserve to be honored and remembered Mr. Bush!

What Pat Tillman did for his country, for us, is an unbelievably unselfish act and we should never forget. At the same time I agree that the media, while important to report this story, has forgotten that EVERY man and woman over there wearing the uniform, as well as civilian volunteers, has given up everything of their own to fight this war. While it wasn't monetarily as large a sacrifice, it was by no means less dear to the individual and their families. I don't care if the soldier is dirt poor to me he is a hero and has sacrificed by putting his life on hold and risking it for us. The media doesn't understand that THIS is the real sacrifice, not a million dollar salary or career put on hold.

I admire Pat for what he did and how he must have motivated the troops around him by doing what I know 99% of his piers would never consider doing. He is a shining example of what is good today.

I agree with Rich, I don't give a damn what J-Lo is wearing or who she is seeing. Unfortunately todays media has all it's priorities so screwed up all we can do is turn them off or not buy their monthly rags they put out on the newstands.

My heartfelt thanks go out to each and every soldier serving today, overseas and stateside, because even here we are still at war, we just happened to take the war to them, before they could bring it to us again.

Dave