Tillman’s Parents Lash Out at Army (A Tragedy On So Many Levels)

Washington Post.com ^ | 05/23/2005 | Josh White

[drt1]

Handling of Ranger’s death called a ‘sign of disrespect’. Former NFL player Pat Tillman's family is lashing out against the Army, saying that the military's investigations into Tillman's friendly-fire death in Afghanistan last year were a sham and that Army efforts to cover up the truth have made it harder for them to deal with their loss.

More than a year after their son was shot several times by his fellow Army Rangers on a craggy hillside near the Pakistani border, Tillman's mother and father said in interviews that they believe the military and the government created a heroic tale about how their son died to foster a patriotic response across the country. They say the Army's "lies" about what happened have made them suspicious, and that they are certain they will never get the full story.

[nj26]

Unfortunately, this has the echo of the Jessica Lynch PR fiasco to me.

[drt1]

Of course this MSM outlet is more than eager to chronicle this angst and shed as much disrepute on the Military as possible.

[Mo1]

Ummm .. if I recall .. it was the media that pushed the story

[paul51]

I think the military was slow in releasing the details (they always are especially when an investigation is called for) however, I wouldn't buy some jackass attorney's spin on things.

[Lockbar]

Accidents happen in war, part of the "game". I was in the Army over 30 years ago. These parents have no clue. Their willingness to join the dark side show they aren't made of any "steel". I hope they are happy helping our enemies.

[endthematrix]

He's still a hero, regardless of how he died.

[SevenofNine]

OH GUYS actually I wouldn't be suprise if ESPN or Jim Rome would have senior Tillman on his radio show

If I know the Clones they be messing with US Army and Pentagon TRUST ME

How I know I listen to Rome show

[Strategerist]

The Army didn't exactly knock itself out getting the truth out as quickly as they could.

[dwills]

<<"Pat had high ideals about the country; that's why he did what he did," Mary Tillman said in her first lengthy interview since her son's death. "The military let him down. The administration let him down.">>

The administration honors Pat Tillman's ideals by trumpeting his sacrifice, which his parents now dishonor by making this kind of political hay out of it

the soldiers who committed gross negligence, as the army's investigation has determined, will suffer for their mistakes to the extent that they're not forgiveable

[Jay Howard Smith]

The man gave up a lucrative career and volunteered for duty. Soldiers die every day in friendly fire incidents. That doesnt lessen the matter. In my eyes he is a hero. The MSM would just love it if they could prove that he was drafted against his will and are doing their damndest to downgrade this Military and the job they are doing....!

[Eagles6]

Sad to see that they are allying themselves with those who hate their son. I doubt if that is what he would have wanted.

[Soul Seeker]

The army is evil. The pentagon is evil. The administration is evil. America is evil.

But the folks that mocked their son and belittled their son and called him names not worth repetition because he left athletics to serve his country are not evil, apparently, because the parents have joined with them.

I respect their son's service. HE is a hero.

I respect their pain.

I do not respect their reaction to pain. I have had my fill of parents presuming to speak for their children against the choice they made to serve their country. They can speak, but I refuse to listen any longer.

[Mo1]

But the Army waited until a formal investigation was finished before telling the family — which was weeks after a nationally televised memorial service that honored Tillman on May 3, 2004.

Ummm .. isn't it normally procedure to wait until an investigation is completed before telling he detail of what happen?

[goodnesswins]

Yeah....you'd think his LAWYER father would KNOW THAT!

[drt1]

Agree. This spectacle and the statements coming from his parents are undoubtedly the last thing Tillman would have wanted. IMO The parents need to consider this fact and deal with their warranted pain in a constructive fashion.

To continue to do otherwise is to desecrate their son's sacrifice, a sacrifice that was heroic despite the cause.

[Mo1]

I'm sorry, but this smells and it's not the military

The father is calling the men that served with Tilman, murders

[Drammach]

A difficult issue indeed..

Does the military have an obligation to truthfully disclose the circumstances of a soldier's death?
Do that soldier's family have a "right" to that information?

Is it "unpatriotic" to complain when the pentagon stonewalls a family on those circumstances?

I have read articles, reports, etc., as far back as the Korean War where such freindly fire deaths were covered up by the military..
This Tillman incident is nothing new..

The Pentagon needs to determine a standard policy on the reporting of deaths and circumstances, then stick to it..
If officers or administration fail to adhere to the standard, there should be real penalties administered.. ( like loss of rank or postition, minimum..)

None of this makes one iota of difference concerning the sacrifice Pat Tillman made..
He served his nation honorably and well..

But a policy of truth in these matters would keep the left and the leftist media from capitalizing on such occurrances, and alienating the families..

[zarf]

Te US Army is a mess. It is the one branch of the military that needs to be depussified, disembowled and rebuilt.

[OneTimeLurker]

"Ummm .. if I recall .. it was the media that pushed the story"

Who do you think fed the story about Tillman. FNC had it covered nearly as much as Lacey for a time.