The death of former Arizona Cardinals defensive back Pat Tillman has stirred the emotions of Americans from coast to coast. While his death is no more or less tragic than any of the 800+ men and women that have died in Iraq it is certainly unusual in today's society. In a military that is decidedly made up of young men and women that come from lower to middle income families Pat Tillman was a man that left a multi-million dollar football career with little fan fair to put himself in harms way. Pat was motivated to action by the terror attack of 9/11. With little notice and zero publicity Pat gave up his relatively cushy lifestyle to sneak off to Colorado with his brother to enlist in the Army. Not only did he enlist he then volunteered for one of the toughest volunteer assignments in the Army, the Rangers.
Why does the death of Pat Tillman stand out so much in today's society? Because in a day and age when top political officials and other well-to-do people have gone to great lengths to avoid the danger of military service one man has gone 180 degrees in the other direction and subsequently paid the ultimate price. In the very early history of the United States and up until just after World War II it was very common for the upper crust of society to put it all on the line to defend their way of life. I think back to our early American history when the minute man was prepared at a moments notice to take up arms and defend our way of life. These minute men came from all walks of society and it would not have been unusual for rich men to stand shoulder to shoulder with poor men in defense of our country. And let's not forget the entertainers and pro athletes that set aside their careers to take up arms in WWII even when they could have undoubtedly found a loop whole to avoid performing their service. But in today's society unfortunately, Pat Tillman stands out as a new world minute man who sacrificed his career his future and his life to help make our world a safer place for democracy.
Why does the death of Pat Tillman stand out so much in today's society? Because in a day and age when top political officials and other well-to-do people have gone to great lengths to avoid the danger of military service one man has gone 180 degrees in the other direction and subsequently paid the ultimate price. In the very early history of the United States and up until just after World War II it was very common for the upper crust of society to put it all on the line to defend their way of life. I think back to our early American history when the minute man was prepared at a moments notice to take up arms and defend our way of life. These minute men came from all walks of society and it would not have been unusual for rich men to stand shoulder to shoulder with poor men in defense of our country. And let's not forget the entertainers and pro athletes that set aside their careers to take up arms in WWII even when they could have undoubtedly found a loop whole to avoid performing their service. But in today's society unfortunately, Pat Tillman stands out as a new world minute man who sacrificed his career his future and his life to help make our world a safer place for democracy.
