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  #1  
Old 04-23-2004, 01:26 PM
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Local goes down in Afghanistan

This is an especially heartbreaking story to the locals here.....

Tillman Lauded as American Hero

Arizona lawmakers and members of the football community lauded former NFL defensive back Pat Tillman Friday as an American hero after learning that he was killed while serving as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan.

Dave McGinnis, former Cardinals head coach: "I have known Pat since 1998 and I don't know if I have ever met a more dedicated person in my lifetime. It was an honor to be his friend and coach and I will miss him."

Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.: "Pat Tillman is a great American hero in the truest sense. He had already given up so much, including an incredible football career and loving family, to fight for his country in the war on terrorism. His patriotism and courage are an inspiration and we are grateful for his ultimate sacrifice. My deepest sympathies are with his family."

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.: "I am heartbroken today by the news of Pat Tillman's death. The tragic loss of this extraordinary young man will seem a heavy blow to our nation's morale, as it is surely a grievous injury to his loved ones. Many American families have suffered the same terrible sacrifice that Pat's family must now bear, and the patriotism that their loved ones' exemplified is as fine and compelling as Pat's.

But there is in Pat Tillman's example, in his unexpected choice of duty to his country over the riches and other comforts of celebrity, and in his humility, such an inspiration to all of us to reclaim the essential public-spiritedness of Americans that many of us, in low moments, had worried was no longer our common distinguishing trait.

When Pat made his choice to leave the NFL and became an Army Ranger, he declined requests for interviews because he viewed his decision as no more patriotic than that of his less fortunate, less renowned countrymen who loved our country enough to volunteer to defend her in a time of peril. It is that first lesson of patriotism that we should reaffirm in our own lives as we celebrate the courageous life and mourn the heroic death of this most honorable American."

Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz.: "Pat Tillman exemplified the sacrifice, selflessness, and service of the U.S. military. Nowadays, genuine role models in professional sports are few and far between, but Tillman proved that there are still heroes in sports.

My thoughts and prayers are with Pat's friends and family, and with the friends and family of all soldiers who have given their lives defending our freedom."


Last edited by GermanStar; 04-23-2004 at 01:41 PM.
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  #2  
Old 04-23-2004, 03:02 PM
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Read an article about him and his family in SI (or one of the other sports mags) pretty amazing guy. Sort of reminded me of Bobby Jones. Definitly one of the good ones.

Didn't his brother join the military also?
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Old 04-23-2004, 03:16 PM
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Tillman was essentially a local hero here. Undersized kid playing football for ASU that really wasn't supposed to succeed -- not big enough, not strong enough, not fast enough. But he did succeed and he was drafted in the late rounds by the Arizona Cardinals. Same story again -- he wasn't supposed to succeed, but he did. Brains and a lot of heart can go a long way toward success. After 9/11 he walked away from a multi-million dollar contract to defend our country. I don't know a single person who would have even considered doing the same. Does anyone?
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Old 04-23-2004, 04:22 PM
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I understand from friends in the athletic department that Arizona State University is flying flags at half-mast today.

While Pat Tillman's story is widely known and rightly celebrated and his passing appropriately mourned, we must never forget the others not so celebrated publicly who make the same sacrifice and whose families are faced with the same loss as the Tillmans.

It is ironic that in the wake of the short-comings of our defense last season, Coaches Koetter and Guy have determined to recreate the "Devil" linebacker position Pat Tillman defined and Adam Archuleta refined while Sun Devils. Big shoes to fill.
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Last edited by dtanesq; 04-23-2004 at 04:28 PM.
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  #5  
Old 04-23-2004, 07:50 PM
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The neighbor's kid across the street is an Army Ranger. He was in Afghanistan and Iraq for one year. He came home on leave last weekend, and all the neigbors, in our court, had a big party for him. His duty station will be Ft. Bragg, NC for at least one year. We were all happy that he had the good furtune of returning home unhurt.
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Old 04-23-2004, 08:37 PM
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I've followed this story all day on various internet news sites. My heart is just broken! Pat Tillman is a true American who believes in the ideas that have made this country what it is. He lived these ideals.

It makes me realize just how much we have in this country and how little we give back. Tillman lived what Jack Kennedy voiced in his inagural address. He selflessly sacrificed everything he had and gave everything he had for his country.

I pray that the pain that Pat's wife and family are forced to endure at this time is eased and that I can live my life as honorably as Pat did.
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Old 05-02-2004, 04:00 PM
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Wow, I bet this guy has gotten some death threats.
You had better go back and make it very clear these are not YOUR VIEWS.
As I read that I started to think justifiable murder was in order – and it took me just a minute to realize the statement you were making.
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Old 05-02-2004, 04:25 PM
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I had heard of this. Rene Gonzalez got into to pretty serious trouble over with with his Dean among others.
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Old 05-02-2004, 04:52 PM
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"I had heard of this. Rene Gonzalez got into to pretty serious trouble over with with his Dean among others."

Everyone is entitled to an opinion and who is to say that they are wrong or right. Voicing an opinion without fear of governmental retribution is one of the things that makes the USA so great. Tillman died for what he felt was the right thing to do for his country. Some will call his actions stupid and others will call his actions heroic. I think heroic is the wrong term; rather, his actions were very patriotic. Anyway, you can't really fault him for doing what he thought was the right thing to do and he made the ultimate sacrifice. May he rest in peace.
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Old 05-02-2004, 05:10 PM
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Consider the source, thats a picture of Rene. It's clear that he subscribes to the If you don't agree with me your and idiot intelligence doctrine while back here in reality most of know that the ones saying that BS are the IQ challenged.

does it not suprise me that he's not an American?
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  #11  
Old 05-02-2004, 05:15 PM
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Rene Gonzalez wasn't "voicing an opinion". By his own admission, it was a simple exercise in controversy with no regard for the consequences of his stupidity. To quote our 16th President: "It is better to remain silent and thought a fool than to speak up and remove all doubt".
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  #12  
Old 05-02-2004, 05:39 PM
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Rene Gonzalez
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  #13  
Old 05-04-2004, 02:06 AM
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he shouldn't be hailed as a hero, he should be used as a poster boy for the dangerous consequences of too much "America is #1," frat boy, propaganda bull.
...from some of the comments you guys definately prove the writers point.
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Old 05-04-2004, 07:52 AM
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I think what he gave up to defend our country is admirable. 9 out of 10 people would not have done it.

I watched some of his memorial yesterday and came away thinking that some parent(s) of other not so famous deceased soldiers might have some ill will toward him for all the media coverage, etc......it does not matter to them that Tillman gave up $$$$$$ to join the armed forces. Their kid is more valuable to them than PT was to his family.

Not my opinion, but I can see where someone might say " What about my son?

In any event, I'll keep his story around for my grandkid to read about.

Thanks
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Old 05-04-2004, 06:19 PM
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Ted Rall weighs in

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ep/20040504/en_bpiep/rallstillmancartoonpulledbymsnbccom

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