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Pat Tillman
The (un)Known Soldier
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After World War 2, the United States created the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier. The Unknown Soldier symbolizes all soldiers and the sacrifices they made for our country. Now, in this era of video and electronic communications, wars are fought in a very visible and public way and we can see the battles on our television. Our soldiers are not unknown but their sacrifice is just as real.
On April 22, 2004, Pat Tillman was killed in action in Afghanistan. Because Pat Tillman was a highly paid professional football player who turned down money and fame in order to serve his country, his death received greater attention than the deaths of the other 700 or so soldiers that had died in combat over the past two years in the Middle East. The men in the all volunteer army chose to join for a variety of reasons. Many, if not most of them, simply wanted an opportunity for a better life. Unlike Pat Tillman they were not rich and famous. They just wanted a decent life for themselves and their families. But they went to war when asked to do so even if they did not agree with all that our leaders were asking them to do. They chose to serve of their own free will and they made the ultimate sacrifice. In that regard Pat Tillman represents them all.
In the spirit of the Unknown Soldier, I propose that Pat Tillman be named the The Known Soldier and that his memory be dedicated to ALL the men who have died fighting the new kinds of war against a faceless enemy. He did not have to fight, nor did any of the other men that are part of our professional army. Here is to Pat Tillman and all the soldiers he represents. We thank you Pat.
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