Here is the story of Pat Tillman, in case you:
A) dug yourself a hole you have been living in for the past week or so,
B) have been in a coma,
C) became emo and did nothing but sat in coffee shops, or
D) are just an idiot.
Pat Tillman was a former pro football player for the Arizona Cardinals. After converting
from linebacker to safety, he quickly became an impressive defender. Tillman had always
talked to his family about joining the army to protect the country. While the considerations
were always serious, the September 11 attacks essentially took them from considerations
to plans. Tillman was offered a $3.5 million dollar contract extension with the Cardinals,
but he declined it to go serve in the Army and its $18,000 enlistment pay. Just recently,
Tillman was killed in the Middle East.
Tillman represents something that almost all human beings, including myself, are missing: the ability to decide what really matters in life. Three million dollars, or risking your life for eighteen thousand? I don't even know a single person that would take the Army choice, especially before his death (at least that is my assumption). Tillman wanted no special recognition for joining the Army. No interviews, no extracurricular events, nothing. Just the chance to join the Rangers (Army's special combat unit, think Navy SEALS). I think everyone agrees that this is pure human value at its finest.
Yes, Tillman is great and inspirational. But what is truly under the surface is the fact that Tillman would not have wanted all of this extra recognition for his death and his sacrifice. He knew that he was risking no less than the common soldier ("And the common man, that bleeds on the battlefield, does he risk no less?"). Tillman realized that everyone who walked onto the terrain of war with him was completely equal in risk, regardless of whether they walked away from millions or not. In this fact is where Tillman is truly great, not in his passing up of fame and fortune.
So as the war drags on, and deaths simply turn to numbers, the best thing that can come out of a sacrifice like Tillman's is that people will once again realize that everybody who fights or dies for the country is worth the same praise as Tillman is now receiving. Whether you are pro-war, anti-war, like Bush, think he's a moron, regardless. Let this remind you of something that everyone should know and think of.