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.

[Fledermaus]

I agree with you both. I hope people use this concentration on his brave story to refocus on all of them.

It's sad it's needed. It's sad "American Idol" or "The Apprentice" or "The Bachelor" occupy more of our fellow citizens minds. Very sad. Almost disgusting.

Forget Paris Hilton on some "hick" farm (95% of us would be better off on those farms)...let's have a reality show with the Marines! Getting voted off would take on a whole new meaning to the cowards, pinheads, brain-dead, morons that seem to be breeding beyond control.

I just hope we don't get some cheesy made for TV movies like with Jessica Lynch.

And I hope that any accolades the NFL and others use to honor his service is controlled by his family that understands the service of all.

I'll be the first to salute Pat Tillman and I'm sorry to see him die in the line of duty. And I know we need heroes.

It's just sad the liberal press needs a name to make the same point. But of course, they are too busy attacking the war on terror to really care which makes their focus on Tillman even more disgusting.

Pat Tillman had more integrity, bravery, and balls in his pinky than everyone at the NYTimes, Wash Post, CNN, CBS, NBC, ABC, etc.

GOD BLESS our brave men and women!

[hnorris]

Thank God America still makes men like Tillman.

[Jerry_M]

I notice that he was a Specialist Four (SP4) at the time the picture in post 30 was taken. Does anyone know what rank he held at the time of his death? I find it surprising that none of the news stories I have seen have referred to him by rank, i.e. SP4 Tillman, or Sgt. Tillman, etc.

I assume following a previous tour in Afghanistan that he also earned the CIB, and possibly other awards.

[threat matrix]

Nile Kinnick the 1938 Heisman Trophy Winner was killed in WWII.

They named a stadium after his sacrifice and his image is on the coin used at the start of every Big 10 Conference football game

[threat matrix]

The Arizona Cardinal Vice President summed it up yesterday 'Where do we find such men?'

And the Boston Globe reporter said back to him, 'America will be fine as long as there are Nile Kinnicks and Pat Tillmans to protect her..'

[VaMarVet]

Excerpt from WP:

Pat Tillman would probably want to be commemorated by nothing more than the simple hush we devote to other lost infantrymen we didn't know. He no doubt would have preferred that we dwell instead on the photographs of those caskets draped in flags coming home from Iraq. He would surely disapprove of so much attention diverted to a single serviceman, simply because he played football. In the two years since he abandoned his NFL career and enlisted to become an Army Ranger, he steadfastly declined interviews and refused to use his military experience for renown or profit.

Instead, he embodied the words of an anonymous war poet: "I was that which others cared not to be. I went where others feared to go and did what others failed to do. I asked nothing from those that gave nothing . . . "

Snip...

But of course this applies to all of our service men and women and the vast majority ask nothing from those that gave nothing.

Rest of commentary at Life Is No Life to Him That Dares Not Die by Sally Jenkins.

[xkaydet65]

Whay NFL values is Tagliabue referring to? The crimes of Ray Lewis, the cocaine abuse of Lawrence Taylor, the spousal abuse of Mark Gastineau. The only similarity between Pat Tillman and the "stars" of the recent NFL is that he played the game.Behind their pious words, I believe, most NFLers have no comprehension of what Tillman has done and look at him in the same way Sonny Corleone looked at Michael for joining the Marines. A sucker!

[joebuck]

God Bless Ranger Tillman. Shine on you crazy diamond.

[msdrby]

I agree That said, the fact that he and his brother volunteered speaks volumes to their dedication and courage.

IMO it means much more than if they had been called up. These two are made of the stuff of heroes. I have much respect for them.

[Kaslin]

Nice picture of Pat Tillman here

[threat matrix]

[VOA]

(with apologies to the forum...I'm putting this on the Pat Tillman threads for
publicity and to bump the threads. My apologies in advance if this is already
common knowledge.)

I just heard on ABC Radio News that a sports agent informed Pat Tillman of the
interest that the Seattle Seahawks had in him (last year?).
Tillman told the agent that he (Tillman) could have get his release from the service
but that he had made his committment and would stay in the military.

If true as reported, the Tillman legacy just got a little larger.

[cachadley]

Memorials. Much has been done and with great speed. Both his High School and ASU as well as the Arizona Cardinals, have retired his number. The plaza surrounding the new stadium is going to be called the "Pat Tillman Freedom Plaza". Scholarships have been set up along with memorial funds. Congratulations to every organization in moving so quickly for what is the definition of an American Hero!! This is both a Tragic and Great day for America. Truly Tragic because of the loss of a great man. Great because of a renewed recognition for all those that have given the ultimate sacrafice for our country and those that serve our country each and every day. Our thoughts and prayers to Pat's family and friends as well as all serving our great country. And Thanks!!