Pat Tillman Leads the Way

By now you probably know that Ranger Pat Tillman, former safety for the Arizona Cardinals, was killed in action in Afghanistan this week.
Rest in peace, Pat. Rangers lead the way.

On my XM radio, I’ve been listening to as many different talk hosts as I can. Yesterday they were all talking about Tillman, and they all seemed to be struggling with what made his sacrifice so special. There seemed to be a trend to say something like “ultimately Pat made the same sacrifice every soldier killed made” or words to that effect.
I say bullcrap.

Pat Tillman is the greatest real American hero we’ve had in quite a while, and here’s why.
Before 9-11 it was business as usual. Few saw the gathering menace, and we were basking in the liberty of peace and prosperity. But after 9-11, we were at war. Every man of fighting age knew his duty to serve his country. In that all were equal. But the temptation men faced to shirk their duty varied widely.
And none faced greater temptation than Pat Tillman.

Sure, every life is equally valuable. But only Tillman – while on his honeymoon on Bora Bora for crying out loud – had the temptation of keeping his multi-million dollar salary in a glamorous job he’d been pursuing since childhood. Despite a new wife and a new contract, with the admiration of his peers, and in a subculture that did not embrace the idea of duty, Pat Tillman alone did the right thing.

Would you?

How many other NFL stars joined up? None. How many from the National Basketball Association? Major League Baseball? The National Hockey League? None.
How many 25 year olds earning huge money on Wall Street? Hollywood? I haven’t heard of any.
Only Pat Tillman.
Yes, there are thousands of exceptional Regular Joes who joined up after 9-11, like the son of the friendliest clerk at my local Home Depot, but be honest. Of course they too had sweethearts or wives, dreams and aspirations. But they didn’t face the temptation to sit it out, to let some time go by, to let others carry the ball that Tillman did.
Nor did Tillman choose to do his duty in a safe way. He could have served his country with honor and dignity in the Air Force or the Navy, where truly mostly the pilots and Special Forces are at risk. He chose the hard way, the dangerous way.

So here’s to you, Pat Tillman. I honor you, sir.

As to the rest of you of fighting age, what are you doing? Why haven’t YOU joined up? Have you tried? Have you even considered it? Your country needs you. If you don’t think you have the skills to make the grade… well you’re probably wrong. The Army and the Marines know what to do with people like you. Get down to the recruiting office. And if you can’t make yourself face the danger that Tillman embraced, you can still serve honorably in the Navy or the Air Force. If you're talented at languages, then by all means study Arabic. The CIA, the Army, the Marines, and the NSA all need more interpreters.
If you’re a father, I think that’s a valid reason to sit this one out. You’re part of what we’re fighting for. If you’re not, then what are you waiting for?
If, like me, you’re too old then you can at least go here and send some cash to those who need it most. Or here.

Rangers lead the way.

Comments

[Frank Borger]

I heard one quote about WWII.

In that war, 200 members of the NFL enlisted, (with a lot fewer teams than now, but it was a much bigger war.)

19 of them were killed.