US Ranger Tillman an 'Inspiration,' White House Says

Arizona Central.com ^ | April 23 2004 | wire report

[threat matrix]

The White House is calling US Ranger Pat Tillman 'an inspiration both on and off the football field.'

Tillman walked away from a lucrative NFL pro football career to join the US Army.

Yesterday the former Arizona Cardinals player was killed while serving in Afghanistan.

[Arkinsaw]

O beautiful for heroes prov'd
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life.

America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev'ry gain divine.

[Damagro]

Such a shame we don't have a John Wayne in Hollywood now. He's the only one who could do justice to the Pat Tillman character in the movie that will surely be made. RIP Pat Tillman

[mtntop3]

"Who are these men who promise to keep
"Alive in their hearts the ones God holds asleep?
"These are the men to whom I promise again:
"'Veterans',my friends-I will remember them !.
"(Written by: an 'unknown'-12 year old girl-1966.)"

Those who knew Pat Tillman will always love him.

Those who learn of Pat Tillman will always love him.

Truly, no greater love hath one who gives his life for others.

May God's comfort and blessings always be with his wife and family.

May all of us never cease to walk in God's ways with Pat Tillman in our hearts.

###

[L`enn]

Have any other high profile sports personalities perished in active military duty? Only other one that comes to mind besides Pat and Nile Kinnick was Wilmot-Sadat Singh (read up on him, a very interesting saga) who crashed as a member of the Tuskegee Airmen.

[L`enn]

As I sent this to post I remembered how Christy Mathewson died from lung disease after having his lungs ravaged by mustard gas poisoning during The Great War.

[Damagro]

All that serve have sacrificed. Pat Tillman stood out that he sacrificed a very lucrative carreer for no reason other than it was the right thing to do. In the same situation as Pat Tillman was, I wouldn't have done what he did. It makes me feel a lot less principled right now. Pats death will not be in vain

[valleygal]

AS someone reminded me today, the field at ASU is already named after Frank Kush. Considering how long it took them to name it after Kush, I don't think they'll cahnge it anytime soon.

[muskie84]

Pat Tillman is no doubt the hero of the 21st century.
Parents should teach their children to be a great American like Mr. Tillman

[Revenge of Sith]

In baseball, two major league players, Eddie Grant and Bunn Troy, were killed in World War I and two major leaguers, Elmer Gedeon and Harry O'Neill, were killed in World War II. The story of Mathewson getting tuberculosis from World War I was a popular misconception. Both of his brothers and his son had tuberculosis.

I read that a lot more NFL players were killed in World War II, but I never saw a list of names.

[T-Bird45]

Go here for the answer to your question: Have any other high profile sports personalities perished in active military duty? Bob Kalsu was, prior to Tillman, the only active NFL player killed on active duty.

[x1stcav]

Simmeon's a p**sie compared to Tillman.

[bereanway]

I would have to guess that one as noble minded as Pat Tillman had very little in common with the shallow, self centered, somewhat dense Simeon Rice. It would be hard to imagine those two even having a conversation beyond anything having to do with defensive assignments.

Obviously, duty and honor are two foreign concepts to Rice.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Yes, it is a terrible loss. But what I don't understand is why he felt it necessary to join at this time. I heard he just returned from his honeymoon. Everyone doesn't need to serve. Wonder how his widow feels now. When I joined the Army in 64 I don't believe married men were drafted. I can certainly understand his call to duty as I wound up in nam, but I wouldn't have joined if I had been married. Doesn't his wife deserves some consideration?

Could it be, perhaps, that the call is very strong, as you sir have found?

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Nice job. Brought tears to me.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

I don't go to DU. wonder what they are saying about this??

I'm sure they hate it.

[GeronL]

Probably.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

I>Pat Tillman is no doubt the hero of the 21st century. Parents should teach their children to be a great American like Mr. Tillman

I heard someone say today that the NFL ought to mark the 40 yard line of every NFL stadium in America with red, white, and blue stripes. That way, countless parents would be explaining to their children about how an American Patriot, Pat Tillman, number 40, gave up great wealth, and then his life, to defend our freedom. I would like to see the NFL do this.

[Fledermaus]

Amen.

I'm getting a little sick at all the, deserved, accolades expressed about Pat Tillman ONLY because he was once going to play in the NFL. Whoopie! A lot of worthless humans play the same game.

But since he "gave up" millions he is somehow seen as a bigger hero. Funny, I thought all these press people hated the millionaire athlete.

He deserves no more or no less praise and prayers as a great American soldier and hero as they all are. Regardless of their background, their job, their life, etc.

Too bad so many in America live in the "People" and "Entertainment Tonight" atmosphere. Sad people they must be.

I recently went to a homecoming party for Capt. Jason Beck who spent 14 months in Iraq (Baghdad). He's no less a hero in my eyes and I'm just as proud of his service and I'm happy he came home safe.

It's too bad the press doesn't use Pat Tillman's death to celebrate the entire military instead of concentrating on the sacrificing of his career. Personally, I find it offensive that's all they see.
I doubt they'd have the same view if Bill Gates did the same thing.

Thank you Pat Tillman. Thank you for sacrificing your life so we can enjoy ours. And thanks to all of our brave men and women fighting for us everywhere.

Oops, there I go again, posting intriguing and intelligent thoughts that will be misconstrued by morons and thus get me suspended yet again.

[merry10]

I'm not sick of these stories like you are, but had similar thoughts - that there are hundreds of men and women fighting right now that the country is not weeping for.

I think Pat Tillman's death brings it all home and jars us into remembering there IS a war in Afganistan still. It makes us remember there are soldiers out there who need our support. He did not want accolades; he wanted to be like the other Rangers. He wanted to fight for his country, and gave up millions of dollars. Nobody these days is this unselfish (except Bruce Willis). I am humbled by a man like Pat Tillman who really personifies this volunteer service.

[Stopislamnow]

I see where you're coming from, and you're right.

It's no different than your next door neighbors daughter enlisting and dying on a road in Iraq due to an accident. Or the lower-middle class kid who wanted to crew a blackhawk and going down in a sandstorm. They all died serving.

But, the celebrity he had, and the fact that he did give up millions of dollars and a career in the NFL to serve is exceptional. It is a statement of the American character that most everyone here at Free Republic cherishes and wants a general return to.

Every time a service member is lost it's a tragedy. His publicity in no way dimishes anyone else's sacrifice. And causes statements like yours which reminds us of the all the others who joined the military to improve thier lives, or to earn college money, or just to serve thier country. Or even just for the adventure of it.

His sacrifice is no greater then thiers. But I've no problem realizing his was unusual in the extreme. To give up the career, money, and fame that he had? To serve. He gave it all up...and still managed to improve on his life.

Libs would say it was a step down. They'll never understand.