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but to serve others.

The military service represents various solutions to people's lives. For many it is service and patriotism that drives them, for others it is a second, or third chance to mature and grow and learn. For some it is the chance to complete their education without incurring hugh debt. I believe it does not matter a whit what reason the men/women had when they joined. They all learn in their training what may be asked of them. (This is where they become equal in the eyes of G-d and our nation.) And they all deserve all our support.

I hope this hero (Pat Tillman) galvanizes all our backbones for the job that is at hand. And I hope it galvanizes the spirits of our leaders and they get on with it. (I am opposed to seeking a political solution in Iraq until after the Sunni triangle is in ruins and the people sue for peace.)

I agree with you. I see it as the same reason many serve their churches or charities. There are very visible examples like a Mother Theresa who have no desire but to serve and then there are others who may do it at first to meet friends.
I don't care the reason people join, but others bring it up often when they bemoan a poor person dying who just wanted a college education and it is fitting in light of that constant criticism to point out that this man served because he wanted to and that there are many soldiers like him and those that become like him after being in the service. We have family in the military and, like many others, they joined for oppurtunity. I would be just as disheartened should they come back in a flag draped casket, but just as appreciative.
Tillman gets a special glance I guess because of his notereity and because of the fact that he is a very visual reminder of the kind of selflessness in this country that is represented in all of our military personel.

Aw man...Deep sadness on this one..........

That man was one of the only high profile true grit Americans out there in a Sharpie ball signing, Hidden cell phone in the endzone, tell it to my agent kind of world here in America.

No football for me this year. There are bigger things......