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A True Patriot! - Politics, Business, Civil, History - Posted: 2nd Jun, 2004 - 8:45pm
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A True Patriot!
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| Ex-NFL player Tillman killed in Afghanistan Former Cardinal gave up big salary to join Army Rangers Pat Tillman turned down a $3.6 million salary offer from the Arizona Cardinals in 2002 to join the Army in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. BREAKING NEWS NBC News and news services Updated: 11:01 a.m. ET April 23, 2004WASHINGTON - Pat Tillman, who gave up a lucrative NFL contract with the Arizona Cardinals to join the Army Rangers, was killed in action in Afghanistan, military officials said Friday. In the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Tillman decided to turn down a three-year, $3.6 million contract with the Cardinals to enlist in the Army. Tillman, who went through Special Forces training to become a Ranger, was first deployed to Iraq in March 2003 with the 75th Regiment Ranger Battalion. In Afghanistan, Tillman's batallion was involved in "Operation Mountain Storm," part of the U.S. campaign against Taliban and al-Qaida groups along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, military officials said. He was killed during action in the past 24 hours, they said. Tillman joined the Army with his younger brother Kevin in May 2002, but Pat Tillman denied requests for media coverage of his enlistment, basic training and ultimate deployments. According to Army officials at the time, Tillman wanted no special treatment, wanted no special attention, but wanted to be considered just one of the soldiers doing his duty for his country. https://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4815441/ |
This guy must have really been something special. I can't imagine anyone turning down a $3.6 million dollar salary to enlist in the military, war time or otherwise. It helps restore my faith in humanity a bit. Just goes to show that not everyone is just out to take care of their own personal interests at the expense of others.
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Patriot True A
I heard this on the TV news (wow, I actually have a TV in my house! eeeek)
What an amazing story -- you are right, there are not many who would have turned down that sort of cash for their country. Very sad that he actually had to give his life, but at least it was his will to do so.
Roz
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A True Patriot! History & Civil Business Politics
He is not only a true patriot, he is my hero.
In a lot of ways, I wish I could be serving in either Afghanistan or Iraq right now.
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Patriot True A
I will add this, mainly because I don't want to start another thread just for it. I know that the right people are sure to see it in this place. It doesn't belong in the controversial Iraq thread.
https://www.blackfive.net/main/2004/04/taking_chance.html
If you don't read anything else today, tomorrow, or next week, read this.
Oh, and make sure you have tissues nearby. I needed them.
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| The following is Marine Lieutenant Colonel Strobl's account of escorting the remains of Lance Corporal Chance Phelps. It's a long and beautifully written and it deserves to be read in it's entirety. It's about Valor, Honor and Respect. |
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Patriot True A
Thank you for that link Nighthawk. It was a great reminder of what a loss each and every death in this war truly is to all of us. (This is true for both sides of the conflict) After a while they all just become numbers. This article meant more to me than most probably because I was in the Marine Corps and I understood the reference to Colonel Puller and the Yellow Foot Prints for example.
Recently, a college student here in Massachusetts wrote an article and it was published in the school paper proclaiming that Tilman (the person this thread was started about) was not a hero and got what he deserved. It is nice to know that not everyone wants to turn the soldiers fighting this war into the enemy. Regardless of what your opinion is on whether the war is just or not, the men and women fighting it are there serving their country with honor. It wasn't their decision whether or not to go, it was simply their duty and obligation, which most of them have performed with honor. 
Edited: tenaheff on 1st May, 2004 - 11:59am
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A True Patriot!
I hope nobody minds, but I am going to use this thread to post stories of real heroes in this conflict.
Here is an article about a truly remarkable Salvadoran soldier. While being overrun by Sheik al-Sadr's forces in Najaf, the Salvadoran contingent ran out of ammunition. When one of his comrades was about to be taken by the Shiite attackers, this young man attacked with only his knife. As he drove the attackers away, a US unit arrived to help the Salvadorans get out of the firefight.
If the picture and/or article are gone, look here for the picture. Sarah says she will keep it available. It's great.
BTW, apparently the Spanish contingent just watched while all this was going on.
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Post Date: 29th May, 2004 - 2:28pm / Post ID: #
A True Patriot!
Tillman Likely Killed by Friendly Fire
"While there was no one specific finding of fault, the investigation results indicate that Cpl. Tillman probably died as a result of friendly fire while his unit was engaged in combat with enemy forces," Lt. Gen. Philip R. Kensington Jr. said in a statement released by the Army Special Operations Command.
The statement said the firefight took place in "very severe and constricted terrain in impaired light" with 10 to 12 enemy combatants firing on U.S. forces.
A woman who answered the phone late Friday at the home of Tillman's uncle said the family would have no immediate comment.
An Afghan military official told The Associated Press on Saturday that Tillman died because of a "misunderstanding" when two mixed groups of American and Afghan soldiers began firing wildly in the confusion following an explosion.
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It was sad that Tillman got killed. But now it is even more sad that he may have actually died in friendly fire. What a waste, what a loss! * sigh *
A True Patriot! Politics Business Civil & History
Here is another real hero. This one is being recommended for the CMH (Congressional Medal of Honor).
https://webreprints.djreprints.com/996030449248.html
I don't think you have to register for this article.
Have a tissue handy.
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TOPIC: A True Patriot!