You said — “Why, at that point should the military refute a story that did so much for Morale?”
Well, because morale should always be based on the truth of the matter so it doesn’t come back and bite you in the butt.
.
And then — “In Tillman’s case, he was such a celebrity, that to report that he died of friendly fire would have been a major blow to morale.”
Except for the fact that now Pat Tillman’s parents are trying to get it straightened out..., plus Jessica Lynch herself.
I mean..., if it weren’t for the *very people themselves* (which includes Tillman’s parents) trying to do this — it might be considered nothing...
The Story of Jessica Lynch What really happened in Nasiriyah. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1823194/posts
Just because Jessica got co-opted by the left, does not mean the Pentagon told the lies.
And if she “can’t remember” she should STFU.
As for Tillman, there is real question as to whether or not he and the guy that was killed with them were the ones that initiated the friendly fire that got them killed. And that that is the reason the commander on decided to report it as “enemy-fire”.
Is it better to remember Tillman as a hero who died at the hands of the enemy, or as someone who fired on his own troops in the dark of night and got killed by them. This sort of thing happens a lot in war, but most civilians, especially grieving parents rarely are able to understand it.
Commanders have, through most wars we've fought, told parents their children have died fighting heroicly against the enemy, even when they have not, especially where friendly fire is concerned.
Not because they want to cover anything up, but to spare the feelings of the loved ones. And in the days before "political correctness" and "anything to bash the military", that was a sleeping dog that was usually left alone.
Reporters who knew better kept their mouths shut, as did the soldiers.
I spent my time in uniform and my kid is on her second tour, in Iraq. Speaking philosophically, I would rather hear she lost her life killing the enemy that as the result of some blundr. As would any parent or reletive. And that is why things like this are done.
But in todays political climate it so much more convenient to ascribe evil motives to the chain of command, especially if it helps bolster your political views.