US Military: Tillman Exemplified Patrotism (Details on Firefight)

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

[Valin]

Reality intrudes.

What makes a person a hero is acting like a hero. Not the ability to run, throw a ball...etc. Pat Tillman IS a hero.
I wonder if the #1 draft pick has the courage to do what Pat did?

[SandRat]

Went grocery shopping this morning and heard a man's voice a couple of registers over say; "Look at that paper. Tillman had everything going for him and he gave it all up for what? Just to be a soldier and die in a useless war! Stupid just stupid!"

An elderly man behind him, wearing a red baseball cap that said "WWII - Korea over the Globe and Anchor" told him to shut up in a voice that I've not heard since I was in basic training.

As Jackie Gleason used to say "How ssweeeet it is!"

[barker]

Signed the guest book but couldn't read many of the entries. Hard to read through tears.

Hope his family knows how highly regarded Pat is on FR. Great young man.

[nicko]

I've posted this before, but it still fits...don't know what else to say, as my grief over this loss seems to have a life of its' own...

Evening in Arlington
(Last line from Taps)

as the last note waifs away,
and the wind dies down,
there is one solemn moment,
suspended…

and our grief for those gone
becomes a brush
that we pass across our opaque pain,
so we may see them once more,
before they fade forever into the evening mist…

before some sound stirs this field to flight-
still we might remember-
“as we go, this we know, God is near…”

Mark E. Harden

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks for posting that.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

An elderly man behind him, wearing a red baseball cap that said "WWII - Korea over the Globe and Anchor" told him to shut up in a voice that I've not heard since I was in basic training.

Excellent !

[lilmsdangrus]

WOW.... we really do have some sick pukes on this earth... evil is all I can come up with.......

[VOA]

(with apologies to the forum...I'm putting this on the Pat Tillman threads for
publicity and to bump the threads. My apologies in advance if this is already
common knowledge.)

I just heard on ABC Radio News that a sports agent informed Pat Tillman of the
interest that the Seattle Seahawks had in him (last year?).
Tillman told the agent that he (Tillman) could have get his release from the service
but that he had made his committment and would stay in the military.

If true as reported, the Tillman legacy just got a little larger.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

After reading their dialogue (besides feeling nauseous) all I can say is these scum proove drug use is on the rise in America and that drugs do permanent brain damage.

They aren't fit to lick Hero's like Ranger Tillman's boots or walk the ground he walked on.

Valin I may have said it before, but thank you for your service.

[Atomic Vomit]

Thank you for reminding us about Bob Kalsu.

I am truly awed by these young men. I will try to always treasure what they have given their lives to preserve. I hope I can be worthy of their sacrifice.

[Travis McGee]

I wonder if any other pro sports athletes will be moved to enlist now? I'd be very curious to know.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

...don't know what else to say, as my grief over this loss seems to have a life of its' own...

I understand. It is good to mourn with others here, nicko.

Pat Tillman's notice at the DoD, like every other fallen warrior - as he would have wished.

	No. 366-04
IMMEDIATE RELEASE	April 23, 2004

---

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. Patrick D. Tillman, 27, of Chandler, Ariz., died April 22, in Afghanistan when his patrol vehicle came under attack.  Spc. Tillman was assigned to the Army’s 2^nd Battalion, 75^th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash.

The incident is under investigation.

For further information related to this release, contact United States Army Special Operations Command at 910-432-6005.

http://www.dod.mil/releases/2004/nr20040423-0648.html

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank God for this hero and his loved ones!

[Valin]

An elderly man behind him, wearing a red baseball cap that said "WWII - Korea over the Globe and Anchor" told him to shut up in a voice that I've not heard since I was in basic training.

As Jackie Gleason used to say "How ssweeeet it is!"

YES!
Too many people seem to think money is the be-all and end-all of our life here.

[Valin]

Spc. Tillman was assigned to the Army’s 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash.



Formation of the 75th Ranger Regiment
by LTC JD Lock
Upon the completion of the Arab-Israeli Yom Kippur War in 1973, the Pentagon grew concerned about the United State's strategic ability to quickly move well-trained infantry forces to any spot in the world. In the fall of 1973, General Creighton Abrams, Chief of Staff of the United States Army, issued a charter for the formation of the 1st Battalion (Ranger), 75th Infantry Regiment.

The battalion is to be an elite, light, and the most proficient infantry in the world. A battalion that can do things with its hands and weapons better than anyone. The battalion will contain no "hoodlums or brigands" and if the battalion is formed from such persons, it will be disbanded. Wherever the battalion goes, it must be apparent that it is the best.

The 1st Battalion (Ranger) was ordered activated on 25 January 1974, with an effective date of 31 January. Initially, Fort Stewart, Georgia, was considered home. In 1978/1979, the battalion moved to Hunter Army Airfield (HAAF) in Savannah, Georgia. To initially man this battalion and to serve as its nucleus, the men and equipment of Company A, 75th Infantry of the 1st Cavalry Division were transferred and the company eventually inactivated on 19 December 1974. The new battalion was assigned the heritage of the Vietnam era Company C (Ranger).

The 2nd Battalion (Ranger) was activated on 1 October 1974 and stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. The men and equipment of Company B, 75th Infantry of the 5th Infantry Division (Mech) were transferred and the company deactivated on 1 November 1974. This second battalion was assigned the heritage of Company H (Airmobile Ranger), 75th Infantry Regiment.

In 1975, the Ranger black beret became only the third officially sanctioned U.S. Army beret. Literally centuries of lineage and battle honors were symbolized by the unique Ranger beret. Though little more than a dark piece of cloth to some, to those who serve as Rangers, the beret is representative of personal courage and selfless sacrifice. It is a symbol to be earned, not issued.

Following the invasion of Grenada during Operation Urgent Fury, the most recent Ranger battalion addition, the 3rd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment was reactivated on 3 October 1984 and stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, with its World War II heritage to serve as its lineage.

To control the three Ranger battalions, a regimental headquarters was needed, thus leading to the formation and activation of the 75th Ranger Regiment on the same day as the activation of the 3rd Battalion. Colonel Wayne A. Downing was selected as the first colonel of the Ranger Regiment...though he is technically and officially titled the third after the ceremonial commanders Rogers and Darby.

In the 1990s, Chief of Staff of the Army, General Gordon R. Sullivan, would develop his own charter for the Ranger Regiment that included... "The Regiment must remain capable of fighting anytime, anywhere, against any enemy, and winning."

With the formation and activation of the Special Forces Operations Command, the lineage and honors of the Second World War Ranger Battalions, the Korean Conflict Rangers, and the Vietnam Conflict Rangers were rightfully transferred on 3 February 1986 to the 75th Ranger Regiment.




http://www.armyranger.com/mod.php?mod=userpage&page_id=55&menu=
Ranger History © JD Lock. Used with permission.

[Terry Mross]

Because people like Tillman are willing to die, this creep in line at the grocery store now has everything to live for.

[SandRat]

Including a very deflated ego thanks to that vet who talked to him like he was a misbehaving raw recruit on the first day of basic.

[windchime]

"God speed, Pat. We will miss you, and all of the Rangers, Marines, and others who have died fighting the good fight overseas. We cannot thank all of you or your families enough."

Amen, Ragtime Cowgirl!

[Havisham]

I just read a frontpage headline in USAToday that US command will get drones that will locate the enemy Fallujah. I hope it's a new strategy. And what about these "roadside bombs"? Drones could patrol main convoy routes and take out the enemy whenever thay set the remote-trigger devices or at least alert coalition to their placement; apparently they produce a heat signature. Was today's factory detonation anything less than command sending men into yet another ambush? I understand it is the nature of war to have these casualties but this has been the enemy's strategy for an entire year. The coalition is simply not adapting to it. I personally detest armchair generals but the problem is so obvious.