Remembering Pat Tillman on this Memorial Day

[scottydog]

Hard to believe it's been six years since Pat Tillman died. He gave up millions of dollars to play football and instead chose to fight in the war in Afghanistan. The story of Pat Tillman is both inspiring and quite sad.

Do you know any war veterans who have died while serving their country? What thoughts do you have about Pat Tillman?

 

[The Badger]

I must admit that that until about a year ago I had not heard of Tillman. I'm British, and the details of an American sports stars life are not a high priority to our press. But a while back I was following an online discussion on atheism and someone brought up Tillman's name to counter the stereotype of atheists being self serving and unethical.

Here is someone who turned down a multi million dollar contract to serve his country, who did his duty honourably, but did not blindly accept his government's actions as being automatically right. I've got a lot of respect and admiration for him.

 

[Cornholio]

I remember a Giants game against the Cardinals years ago, the Cardinals kicker got hurt and Tillman stepped in for kickoffs. the man did whatever was necessary to help his team. then he walked away from sports to fight in Afghanistan. there's a lot of professional athletes that could learn from his example. it makes me feel like the world is upside down when professional athletes are glorified, and make millions of dollars, while the real men and women who are risking their lives get paid next to nothing by comparison. it really should be the other way around.

R.I.P. Pat Tillman

I've been blessed to work with a couple of Iraq combat veterans, one of whom took some shrapnel from an IED. both have had trouble adjusting to civilian life, but they're both an inpiration to me, and I'm glad I've had the opportunity to know them.

God bless all those who serve in time of war.

 

[Jetfire]

I have family members who have served and lived. I am grateful to all men and women who have served America.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Indeed...I think he did a very courageous and selfless thing.

I have changed my avatar in honor of our brave men and women in the armed forces. No matter how we may feel about politics, we should never denigrate the soldiers.

The quote in the avatar comes from this song by Montgomery Gentry. Whether or not you like country (and I usually HATE it) this song has a very powerful message.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr0c-16u_8M

 

[ancientone51]

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[scottydog]

Has anyone read Jon Krakauer's book about Pat Tillman? I might read it if someone here can recommend it.

 

[Gaseous Anomaly]

R.I.P. Pat Tillman, thank you for your service.


Also let's remember,
John Finn, stalwart, hardcore, and MOH winner at NAS Kaneohe during the Dec 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, dies today at 100 ... RIP, good sir.

San Diego Union

John William Finn - Wiki




Memorial Day is coming ... don't ever forget those who came before us ...

 

[scottydog]

^Thanks for that reminder, GA. Finn was a great hero, too.

Tillman's story is just so poignant. He gave up a life of luxury to put himself in harm's way. It's one of the best stories of self-sacrifice that I know.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

How about we remember everyone in uniform that gave their lives, and not just one man?

 

[scottydog]

How about we remember everyone in uniform that gave their lives, and not just one man?

Agree completely! Individual's stories are especially memorable, but every one of our lost service men and women deserved to be remembered.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Every Human being we lose to war is a tragedy, but it's not wrong to take special note of someone who turned his back on fame and fortune to serve his country in the trenches when we came under attack. There are plenty of people who are willing to let others do their fighting for them-- not to mention exploit them to promote their political ideology-- but relatively few who are willing to endanger, or even inconvenience, themselves to protect this country and the principles that it was founded upon. Pat Tillman deserves all the tributes and memorials and remembrances he has received, and then some; he is an inspiration that I hope many young people take to heart.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

How about we remember everyone in uniform that gave their lives, and not just one man?

I don't think that remembering Tillman is intended by anyone to be to the exclusion of anyone else. His story really is a good reminder that there are more, and I see it as a good thing, not the negative you seem to be suggesting this thread is. The OP can tell their story, I can have my more generic avatar...we can ALL remember how we want to.

 

[Jetfire]

I hope we all remember those who have served this Day.

 

[Showdown]

No matter how we may feel about politics, we should never denigrate the soldiers.

Very true. People have a tendancy to take our military and put them with the politics, and thats wrong.

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVkgO2XAG1M[/yt]