Pat Tillman: An Example of Integrity
Seven Years ago Pat Tillman was killed in Afghanistan by friendly fire. Today I want to remember Pat for what he stood for. Truth, freedom, courage, knowledge, America, his family, and his fellow man.
It doesnt take an academic scholar to see that what Pat Tillman did and the way he lived was integrious. His life is an example of integrity that we can all learn and draw from. He was a truly remarkable man and I often wonder what he would have done with his life had he lived through that fateful day in Afghanistan.
He is known as a physical specimen, one of the toughest players to dawn a Cardinals uniform, and of course for walking away from a $9.0 million contract with the Arizona cardinals. Instead Pat chose to join the army alongside his brother Kevin. The events of 911 moved him in such a way, he felt he needed to serve his country to appreciate the freedom so many of us take for granted.
The book, “Where Men Win Gloryâ€, by John Krakauer, tells the story of pat’s life and details the controversial events that tragically lead to his death. However, it also shows a side of Pat most people aren’t familiar with: his stellar academic record, his love for deep conversation, his thirst for knowledge, his loyalty to his long-time girlfriend, but most surprisingly to me his dogged individual pursuit of the truth. He wasn’t the kind of guy to just accept the words on the page, or the lessons in the classroom; if it didn’t make sense to him he would challenge it. He worked hard to achieve excellence in anything he pursued, but it was his determination to seek his own truth that defined him. However, even when he started to question the war, and the decisions of his ranking officers he didn’t waiver in his commitment to the army and his unit. He followed through on his orders and did his job alongside everyone else. There is a major difference between intellectual curiosity, objective reasoning and authoritative defiance. He was respectful even when he didn’t see eye to eye. It seemed he wasn’t afraid of anything, especially pushing his own limits. His athleticism, and toughness made him famous, but it is the integrity of his mind that made him special.
The story of Pat Tillman moved me. Here is an example where it integrity is blatantly obvious, because his actions went so far against the status quo. True integrity is shown when there is loss or the risk of loss involved in a person acting on their beliefs and values for no other reason than principle. The simple fact that he turned down the lucrative contract to be an NFL star in order to join the war shows he was deeply driven by his own beliefs and values. He was indeed an integrious one.
THIS STILL AGGRAVATES ME ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT OF WHICH I PROUDLY SERVED IN FOR 24 1/2 YEARS, BOTH IN THE US ARMY AND US COAST GUARD. THE FACT THE GOVERNMENT NOT ONLY COVERED UP THIS BLATANTLY UNMISTAKEABLY FRATRICIDE, BUT CONTINUED TO LIE ABOUT AS IT WAS INVESTIGATED MORE AND MORE. THIS BRAVE RANGER’S HEAD WAS BLOWN COMPLETELY OFF. THE FIRST AFGHAN ALLIED SOLDIER WAS SHOT (8) EIGHT TIMES IN THE CHEST. WHILE THAT IS VERY GOOD MARKSMANSHIP, IT ALSO TELLS ME IT WAS VERY CLOSE. THIS WAS COVERED UP FROM VERY HIGH POSITIONS IN THE CHAIN OF COMMAND. THEY WANTED TO SPIN THIS TRAGIC MISTAKE INTO SOMETHING THEY COULD SELL TO THE AMERICAN STUPID MASSES, NOT UNLIKE THE JESSICA LYNCH STORY, EXCUSE ME, PRODUCTION. MY GREATEST AND SADDEST FEELINGS ON THIS MATTER, IS THAT PATRICK TILLMAN WAS NOT A CHRISTIAN, AND HE DIED IN VAIN. THIS GOVERNMENT IS FILLED WITH GREEDY, SORRY, LYING INDIVIDUALS WHO CARE NOTHING ABOUT ANYTHING UNLESS IT WILL BENEFIT THEIR PERSONAL GAINS. I DO BELIEVE WE ARE GETTING CLOSE TO THE END OF DAYS, WHICH WOULD BE JUST FINE WITH ME.
pat was a good guy he died fighting for our country god bless him he was also a grat foot ball player god bless him and his familily
There was nothing friendly about the fire. Pat Tilman was murdered by his own government. The medical examiners who did his autopsy noted that the close proximity of the three bullet holes in Pat Tillman’s forehead did not fit any of the constantly changing stories the U.S. government put forth as to how he was actually killed. Whoever shot him was very close to him, close enough to clearly see who he actually was. “The medical evidence did not match up with the, with the scenario as described,” a doctor who examined Tillman’s body told investigators. See the AP news releases from July 26 2007.
The U.S. Army shot Tillman and first said he was killed by “insurgents.” They proceeded to burn what he was wearing at the time and dispose of his diary. Both of those would be the first things a criminal investigation would have relied on to prove the circumstances of the murder. Blood spatter patters on the clothes would’ve given even more clues as to the proximity of the shooters, and the recent thoughts recorded in his diary likely included his increasing awareness that the U.S. was deceiving it’s own population into false flag wars that actually had to do with the higher-ups in the U.S. government rich via the lucrative Afghani opium trade.
From the bottom (the people who shot Tillman on purpose, point blank, and then got rid of his clothes and diary) on up to the top (Army leaders and even the President) the U.S. government has attempted to cover up the killing. First the killing was said to be by enemy fire. Then it was change to “friendly fire”, and an investigation ensued. Army attorneys sent each other congratulatory e-mails for keeping the criminal investigators at bay, and generals were less than cooperative, often “not remembering” the details behind the first deception about how he died. Then even the President himself tried to hinder the investigation. “The White House has refused to give Congress documents about the death of former NFL player Pat Tillman, with White House counsel Fred F. Fielding said. See July 14, 2007 Washington Post.
He was killed. Murdered. Don’t blind yourself to the facts. Pat Tillman died so that your eyes would be opened to the corruption that has taken over the U.S. government. Don’t call his death “friendly” and let it all be for not.
Today I am remembering Pat as a man who questioned the status quo, who relentlessly pursued the truth and who never compromised himself or his values.
Pat Tillman was an incredible man that the world is a little less vibrant without. Can’t believe it’s already been 7 years. Thanks for posting.
Amazing story, great article.
Adding this to twitter great info.
Amazing post. It seems that you know subject very good. I am waiting to read some more.
Great article. Waiting for more.
Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts.
My brother recommended I might like this blog. He was totally right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
as I website possessor I conceive the written content here is really superb , regards for your efforts.
I love the valuable knowledge you offer on your articles. I can bookmark your blog and have my youngsters take a look at up right here generally. I am quite certain they will learn a whole lot of new stuff here than any one else!
You have wonderfully written the post. I have liked your way of writing this. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you Beau, the irony is he may be heading to Tillman COP (Combat Operation Post) in the next three weeks. It’s either there or Zerog COP. He is a medic.
Just watched the Pat Tillman Story. It was very nicely done, I suggest everyone watch it. Actually you need to add his mother as an integrious person. She is amazing.
Great blog man, had very important content that I can relate to
Of course, what a magnificent blog and revealing posts, I surely will bookmark your site.Best Regards!
I like this web blog so much, bookmarked .
I wish I had the balls he did. It only took me nine years to feel the same way he must have just before joining the military. I too have joined and look forward to going to the Navy SEALs training in Coronado. Sex, drugs and rock n roll YO TAMBIEN SOY AMERICANO.
Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.
The Constitution gives every American the inalienable right to make a damn fool of himself.
Your son is in my thoughts right now as I right this. Thank you Jo Jo and my best to you and your family.
Very nicely put, we should all remember Pat this weekend. I have 5 sons, one getting ready to head to same area Pat was killed. Say some prayers.