US Military: Tillman Exemplified Patrotism (Details on Firefight)

AP Breaking News ^ | Saturday April 24, 2004- One hour ago | Paul Haven in Afghanistan

[threat matrix]

The death of an NFL star who traded in a multi million dollar contract to fight for his country is an example of the patriotism and sacrifice of all soldiers who put their lives on the line, the US military said Saturday.

'Specialist Tillman was clearly a patriot, but I think that exmplifies ultimately the patriotism of every solider, seaman, airman and Marine serving in Afghanistan today..everybody serving here is truly a patriot,' Lt. Col. Matthew Beavers said.

Beavers also gave a few more details about the firefight that cost 27 year old Tillman his life.

He said it occurred at 7:30PM Thursday on a road near a village of Sperah, about 25 miles southwest of a US base at Khost.

After coming under fire, Tillman's patrol got out of their vehicles, persued their attackers, then were ambushed. Beevers said the fighting was 'sustained' and lasted 15-20 minutes.

Tillman was killed by enemy fire, but there was no information about what type of weapon was involved or whether Tillman died immediately.

A local Afghan commander, General Khail Bas, told the Associated Press that nine enemy fighters were killed in the clash.

He said three were Afghan and others were believed to be Central Asians and Arabs, frequently found fighting alongside Taliban and Al Qaeda.

[threat matrix]

God bless his wife, child and family.

[Heff]

BUMP, Amen, and God bless his family.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

NEVER FORGET


On C-SPAN TV's 'Washington Journal' early this morning I was blessed to be able to call in and publically thank PAT TILLMAN for his protecting us and making us the HOME OF THE BRAVE in Time of War.

I was further blessed to be able to call this Modern Day Hero a mirror of all American Soldiers who are fighting for our Freedom and the Freedom of others, as always so unselfishly.

I called both them and their mission...

...HOLY.


There is a reason why:


MEL's -PASSION- sparked by -WE WERE SOLDIERS-

http://www.TheAlamoFILM.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=39081




Signed:

"ALOHA RONNIE" Guyer / Veteran-"WE WERE SOLDIERS" Battle of IA DRANG-1965 http://www.lzxray.com

http://www.lzxray.com/guyer_collection.htm
(Battle of IA DRANG-1965 Photos)



NEVER FORGET

[Smartass]

A Soldier's Prayer

Almighty Father, Whose Command is over all and Whose Love never faileth,
let me be aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will.

Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty
in purpose and in deed, and helping me so to soldier and to live
so as to stand unashamed and unafraid before my fellow soldiers,
my loved ones, and Thee.

Protect those in whose love I live.

Give me the will to do the work of a man and to accept my share
of responsibilities with a strong heart and a cheerful mind.

Make me considerate of those entrusted to my leadership
and faithful to the duties my country has entrusted to me.

Let my uniform remind me daily of the traditions
of the Service of which I am a part.

If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith;
if I am tempted, make me strong to resist;
if I should miss the mark, bestow upon me courage to try again.

Guide me with the light of Thy truth ~ and keep before me
the life of Him in Whose example and deliverance I trust.

In the name of my Lord,
Amen.

God Bless You Pat, and All of Our Troops World Wide

[paul in cape]

Please visit and sign Pat Tillman's guestbook.

Very heartfelt and touching.

LINK HERE

[Ramonan]

Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings out all that is best; it removes all that is base. All men are afraid in battle. The coward is the one who lets his fear overcome his sense of duty. Duty is the essence of manhood.
George S. Patton

[Travis McGee]

It sounds like he died pursuing his enemies in close combat, a hot weapon in his hands. For some reason, that's what I would have expected.

[Aaron_A]

The attack was similar to hundreds US troops have faced on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border - terrorists come over from Pakistan, attack US troops and then go back over the border to Pakistan. Time to get our heads out of our assess and set this straight.

[threat matrix]

(unofficially) I heard that he was hit by mortar fire..looks like Ranger Tillman went out in a blaze of glory

[threat matrix]

But Tillman managed to take nine Al Qaeda out before the ambush was over..

[Travis McGee]

I think either the Cardinal's stadium or Sun Devil stadium should be renamed. For sure.

[threat matrix]

The Cards already named the Plaza outside the new 2008 Super Bowl stadium 'Tillman Plaza,' now its time for ASU to sack up and do like Iowa U. did with World War II hero Neil Kinnick.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

My father played for Baltimore for two years after three years in the Navy during WWII. He was far more proud to have served in the Navy.

God Bless Specialist Tillman and his family.

[Ghengis]

But Tillman managed to take nine Al Qaeda out before the ambush was over...

We don't know that. We don't know if he killed any of the enemy that engaged them. Let's be careful not to embellish.

[Havisham]

Another ambush. I see two obvious problems: 1) American patrols and convoys moving without close air support and 2) intelligence treachery. Something in their shared history tells British command just how far and not beyond to trust the Arab. Given America's cultural and language handicaps in this theatre, she cannot afford one more week of fighting on the enemy's terms.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Frankly it doesn't matter. He is a hero either way.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Whoo hoo! for your courage to be a light in the public square, Ronnie!

He is in control.

((Hugs))

[Swede Girl]

Compare his sacrifice to the behavior of Bill Clinton and John Kerry concerning anything military. Tillman was a hero. Clinton and Kerry were and are cowards. All three of Kerry's "purple hearts" can't even begin to compare with the purple heart won by Tillman and all of the others who have given the ultimate sacrifice for this country. And, as for Clinton, the Colonel Holmes letter tells it all.

[threat matrix]

How do we know he didn't?

[archy]

It sounds like he died pursuing his enemies in close combat, a hot weapon in his hands. For some reason, that's what I would have expected.

Somehow the sand-coloured berets for the Rangers seem even more appropriate now. He set one HELL of an example for the rest of to follow....