Posted on 05/22/2005 9:32:05 PM PDT by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Thanks for posting the numbers...
when you take into consideration that in 3 years we have liberated FIFTY MILLION PEOPLE and within three years an election has been held in Iraq (and it took us 13 years to hold our first election after the revolution); that is what is truly mind boggling!
We mourn the death of every Soldier, Sailor, Airman & Marine but to be where we are today with less than 1900 KIA's I think borders on miraculous.
If everyone remembers the so called military "experts" predicted "tens of thousands of dead" if we invaded Iraq.
I know that when I was in Viet Nam, there were weeks that we lost 500 in a week and many were from "friendly fire."
Semper Fi,
Kelly
Pathetic little dirtbag aren't you!
No and No
My heart goes out to his parents for the loss of their son
But to basically call Tilman's fellow troops that served along side of him murders, as his father did .. well that is going over the line
If the coverup was intentional (as the parents claim) then this is dumb, dumb, dumb. Sooner or later the truth comes out.
If the army had just owned up to the fact that he died from friendly fire from the git-go (Tillman is still a hero, but sh*t happens), zero political hay could have been made of this. Now, what a mess.
"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..."
Are they saying that Pat was not a hero?
That is not the standard operating procedure. These incidents have to be investigated and all the facts made known through a written report. Until then, the Army could not "own up to the fact(s)." If anyone makes political hay out of this, it is just a pretext to use it to further an anti-war, anti-military agenda. The Army didn't do anything outside the usual procedure and practice.
"Do you idiots really believe this war is about freedom or the ability for Cheney's friends to gouge you whilst you will up your SUV's."
Yep, the Afgans and Irakis were much freer under that honorable Taliban and saintly Sadaam.
BTW, RA '89-91 and USAR 92-98.
"I've wondered a few times lately if we're short on moderators."
They went on strike until we get a better class of trolls!
"Pat Tillman showed courage and ability to tough it out. Why can't his parents? I can't help but think Pat would be ashamed of this behavior."
I agree and I can't help but wonder what his brother is thinking and the torture he must be receiving from his own family!
Dear DUmmy troll,
What you fail to realize is the fact that Free Republic is populated with thousands of current active duty military, prior military, and retired military. I am a 21 year active duty Marine. I have been in the "breach". I have been shot at, spit on, slept in places the homeless would consider beneath themselves, and eaten stuff that would make a billy goat puke. All to make sure you have the right to run off at the mouth about things you have proven you know nothing about. The sad thing about this is, there will be more like me and the rest at Free Republic, who will continue to enlist to make sure you have the right to spew your poison.
Go back to DUmmy land with your yellow a$$ tail between your legs and run your ignorant mouth there where your garbage is welcome, because here in Free Republic, we are finished with you. Also on your way out please fell free to liberaly spray the Lysol behind you, we don't want your stink to linger!!
Thanks for the information. One thing that jumps out at me, but may not be related, is that if lieberals actually supported the military by passing the appropriate budgets, the technology may exist already to easily electronically identify friendly vs. foe and greatly reduce casualties that were the result of friendly fire.....
Just thinking out loud.
War is controlled chaos. Better command and control of the battlefield have improved our ability to identify friend and foe, but there will always be blue on blue or friendly fire casualties.
Freedom of speech was not bestowed upon us by the press, it was handed to us soaked in soldiers' blood!
The evil fail to remember where their freedom was earned!
FF=typical lib douchebag
I don't disagree. I just find it hard to believe that lieberals will do all they can to reduce military funding, then complain when things that could be better controlled with technology aren't under complete control.
"Are they saying that Pat was not a hero?"
Almost certainly not, though the media would like them to. If I understand the article correctly, they are saying the tale that was put out was grossly inaccurate.
" I am wondering why Tillman's brother, who is also in the Army, has not been heard from?"
If he is still AD i don't think he can comment on operational matters under investigation? Weren't they in the same unit?
"I will leave it up to you what to make of that..."
Well that was an easy conclusion to come to, LOL! Thanks for going easy on me on a Monday. :)
ABSOLUTELY.....he paid the ULTIMATE PRICE. A modern day PATRIOT and HERO. His PARENTS through their grief should always keep that in mind. This petty bickering reminds me of my wife, who through her grief, when our son was killed in a head on accident, was fixated on every detail, rather than dealing with his death.
Eventually she did but it was a rough road. God Bless Pat Tillman and comfort his parents.
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