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.

[SevenMinusOne]

I am wondering why Tillman's brother, who is also in the Army, has not been heard from?

I have often wondered on this myself. Has Pat Tillman's brother ever spoken? Did he re-up with the Rangers?

It simply is tragic what happened to Tillman. We simply don't have many men like him. I know many have given all and all deserve our respect but the bottom line is there are not many men among us that would have given up everything that Pat Tillman had (at that time in his life) to join and serve (and do so within a unit, the 75th Rangers, that he knew he'd see combat).

It is simply a da*m shame what happened to him. The recklessness shown by his fellow Rangers was da*m sickening (and any operator worth his salt would say as much).

But what should not be forgotten (that often is) is that Pat's unit was in an engagement with al Qeade (prior to him being killed by friendly fire).

[SevenMinusOne]

If he is still AD i don't think he can comment on operational matters under investigation? Weren't they in the same unit?

Agree and most likely what the situation is - However, he could definitely make a comment or two (if he wanted and completely his right to not want to say anything) but he could make a comment or two showing his support for the 75th Rangers and Army without breaking any reg's.

Has to simply be terrible on him as well. Perhaps he is like Pat and simply doesn't want to discuss with the media or public (and I can completely respect that). Again, it is just a d*mn shame the recklessness that was shown my his fellow Rangers.

[chudogg]

Unfortunately Central Command has made the decision to remove the original Centcom release describing Pat Tillman's death. This is unfortunate, because NOWHERE in it did it attribute his death to enemy fire. It merely briefly said that he was killed while his unit was engaging the enemy at (blah blah...some location) and that an investigation was underway and further details would be released later.

If Pat Tillman was not a celebrity and was a just another Joe you can bet that his status would not be originally labeled a fratricide until a complete investigation confirmed it. The top Brass are not going to make an immediate decision based on the reports of lowly privates who were there.

That being said, I do not see any problem if the Military deliberatly witheld the details of the fratricide until the nation could honor his service and pin that star on his chest. The Liberal elite would, did, and are having a field day with his death being a fratricide. Why his family is having a problem with this is puzzeling.

Here is the later Centcom release that attributed his death to fratricide. Qoute:

"The results of this investigation in no way diminish the bravery and sacrifice displayed by Cpl Tillman. Cpl Tillman was shot and killed while responding to enemy fire without regard for his own safety. He focused his efforts on the elimination of enemy forces and the protection of his team members. There is an inherent degree of confusion in any firefight, particularly when a unit is ambushed, and especially under difficult light and terrain conditions which produces an environment that increases the likelihood of fratricide."

This much is true, and i would like to see the Liberal chattering classes find one instance, just one mere statement, that the Military somehow lied during this whole thing. This is like the Jessica Lynch debaucle where the media, quoting "unnamed sources" of her great bravery while the miltiary kept mum, and later released the details of what actually happened, and yet its somehow the Military lying and exaggerating the whole scenario.

Fratricide is part of war. This may seem illogical to civilians, but it is something that happens in the confusion of battle. Yes, the Military takes the precautions to learn from mistakes and make efforts to reduce it, but by know means expect to get rid of it as high-tech Spec Ops missions become the norm.

It should also be known that, if what is stated in the article is true and that the the soldiers on the ground immediatly knew it was fratricide, that the brother of Pat Tillman, Kevin Tillman, was in the SAME Ranger Battalion as him. So he as well, would have immediatly known the details of his death, and he accompanied the body of Pat Tillman when it was shipped home for the burial.

I think it is unwise for some of the freepers here to get caught up in the anti-military hysteria in the media.

That being said, at this time i will use the anonymity of the internet to pronounce my status as a Military member with a particular nutball liberal parent that too gets caught up with the anti-war/anti-military hysteria from the liberal chatterers. I have had to demand many times for her to specifically NOT join these Answer/Speak Out organizations. I should probably put a statement in my will so if my unfortunate death in battle cannot be used for these cowardly anti-military attacks.

So i have no bones in saying that the Pat Tillman are unfortunatly not of the same Caliber of person that their sons are made of. It proves that Honor and Integrity are not hereditary traits, and I am happy to see that their sons do not display the same level of cowardice that their parents do. They are obviosly exasperated at the loss of their son and got up in the anti-military sentiment of the lowlife scum in the media, and unfortunatly decided to join them in their quest to make sense of their sons death. They probably did not understand their sons' desire to serve their country, and do not see the millions of familiy and friends who honor and stand by those who serve.

[Darksheare]

Maybe if they got their butts kicked every time they lied, they'd learn to do some fact checking.

[kellynla]

"Weren't they in the same unit?"
That, I don't know.

[iconoclast]

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

Do you serve inside the administration, or are there everyday citizens that can't admit a mistake either?

[Jonah Hex]

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!!

Semper Fi, Marine, and an hooah from the Army.

[iconoclast]

I wouldn't buy some jackass attorney's spin on things.

Are you referring to Pat's Dad?

[Darksheare]

LOL!!!

[Darksheare]

Yup!

Did you notice that when he was challenged to state what his service was, he got real quiet?

[kellynla]

"The recklessness shown by his fellow Rangers was da*m sickening"

You may know something I don't but from what I understand this was an accident. And in combat accidents happen and people are killed in combat by "friendly fire" as I myself have personally experienced.

Now if the Rangers tried to cover this up by burning Tillman's uniform as reported, well now that is something entirely different and DEAD WRONG!
And people should be punished.

Semper Fi,
Kelly

[Mo1]

???

Your post makes no sense and no I do not work for the administration

[xone]

'Did you notice that when he was challenged to state what his service was, he got real quiet?'

You can't get in when you're ten.

[WoofDog123]

"I know many have given all and all deserve our respect but the bottom line is there are not many men among us that would have given up everything that Pat Tillman had (at that time in his life) to join and serve (and do so within a unit, the 75th Rangers, that he knew he'd see combat)."

Very well said.

[lodwick]

Rome bumps.

[chudogg]

There's another odd point here - how come none of these articles mention his brother? Any idea where he is now?

I, too, am wondering about his brother.

[Darksheare]

*snergle chuckle*

LOL!!!

[iconoclast]

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.

The Army's actions on this tragedy stink from beginning to end. So why don't you magnanimous patriots lighten up on this brave man's puzzled and heartbroken family?

[chudogg]

Provide a quote of a CentCom release that says Pat Tillman was killed by enemy fire. If you cannot, then i ask you what is that stink that you smell?

[MurryMom]

Sound like a reversal of a predictable pattern in recent political events.

i.e., here people died and THEN Bush lied!