Tillman killed by Friendly fire.

[Ilvane]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1811975&partnersite=espn

Somehow makes that all worse.

-A

[Anebriated]

I still fail to really feel for him. I know his story, it sucks he was shot, but one of my friends who plays GS was shot and is home with a purple heart. Have any of you heard his story? Did my friend sacrafice less by volunteering to go and fight than the NFL player did? I hate the glorification of certain aspects of this war. Screw politics.

[Hulkein]

Yes, he did sacrifice less monetarily.

I care more about Tillman getting shot then your friend, so do many people.

[Ilvane]

I'm not really saying I feel more sorry for him, I just think it's even more sad that a man died, gave up his life for it..and it was so called "Friendly fire".

-A

[Anebriated]

thats my point. every other week there is some new 'hero' from iraq who was killed or rescued. What they dont show are the common people who didnt give up NFL contracts to go fight. It just annoys me how they spotlight some while giving no credit to the others.

[Ilvane]

That's not true. While I undestand you are upset about your friend, with good reason..there are stories all over the country about people just like your friend. How about the tributes that the news stations have done, and at least I know here in Massachusettes, the papers and news programs have been full of stories like this.

Tillman was different, too though. How many of us would give up millions of dollars and a secure life, to go and serve our country? Does the money make it mean more, maybe not..but it was something unusual, don't you think?

-A

Massachusetts is pretty good with recognizing the people that served and gave the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq. We recently had a Sergeant that was killed by a landmine in Iraq. Regular guy in the 82nd, but he is not forgotten.

The Mayor attended his funeral and there is now a giant billboard up in the area with his picture, name, and awards and that says "You are not forgotten". Made me feel pretty good to see that.

- Arkans

[Hulkein]

All gave some. Some gave all.

I saw a guy at a Wawa wearing this shirt. I want one.

http://www.ts-r-me.com/images/america/970041091232.jpg

[Blazing247]

<thats my point. every other week there is some new 'hero' from iraq who was killed or rescued. What they dont show are the common people who didnt give up NFL contracts to go fight. It just annoys me how they spotlight some while giving no credit to the others.>

Way to put spin on the subject. The ONLY "famous" person they've talked about in this war is Tillman. Are there any other "famous" people over there? Who knows. All the other stories we hear are about "ordinary" people don't extraordinary things. They can't do a news story about every injured person, but I'm sure your friend is just as worthy of one as everyone else. Better some, than none, to receive the spotlight.

[HarmNone]

Originally posted by Elrodin
I still fail to really feel for him. I know his story, it sucks he was shot, but one of my friends who plays GS was shot and is home with a purple heart. Have any of you heard his story? Did my friend sacrafice less by volunteering to go and fight than the NFL player did? I hate the glorification of certain aspects of this war. Screw politics.

Why, instead of resenting what is being told of Tillman's story, don't you share your friend's story with us, Elrodin? A story is not told until someone shares it with others, eh?

HarmNone

[Atlanteax]

Originally posted by Ilvane
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1811975&partnersite=espn

Somehow makes that all worse.

-A

Unfortunately, yes...

Going from "hero" who leads unit back to relieve other unit, and shot by enemy fire trying to save other lives...

... to leading unit to relieve other unit, trying to save their lives, but mistakenly getting shot by them.

Almost seems Shakespearan.

[Anebriated]

Alright, I think a few people are under the impression that I want everyone over there recognized. This is not exactly true, thats my fault as i failed to mention it. I do believe that nobody should be singled out and have the spotlight on them. If someone who is worth multi-millions of dollars loses his life and someone who barely has $10 to their name loses his life, why put one on a podium. They both lost their life fighting for the same cause. They could have been the same rank, same outfit, and fighting right next to each other, but because of politics and media the one who is worth the millions is the one who gets the recognition. I do not think that is right.

My friend was in the firefight where the US troops were surrounded for hours. He was fighting while many of his friends died. He was lucky enough to make it out with only a gunshot wound. That is the basic story. I don't want to get into detail unless he himself does.

[HarmNone]

Fortunately, your friend still has his life, Elrodin. I, for one, appreciate what he gave for all of us. It does not matter what reknown one might have had before entering the service of one's country. What matters is how one deports him/herself once there.

Your friend is as much a hero as Tillman. Yet, sometimes, it takes a person like Tillman to draw attention to the fact that people ARE being wounded, and dying. Until your response to this thread, we did not know of your friend. Now, we have the chance to thank him through you. I hope you will convey to him my gratitude. :)

HarmNone

[Anebriated]

Actually he reads these boards, doesnt post often. He will most likely read that himself HarmNone. I guess its just the fact that they only show people who are not your average soldier. They showed Lynch in the beginning because she was rescued. They have never mentioned one person since who was rescued, why, because they were not female. They spoke of Nick Berg, who was captured and beheaded. Now it is Tillmen's turn. Why? because he gave up money to go serve his country. Why do people say money isnt everything when things like this go on? I do not value one life over anyone elses. They are all equal to me which is why I dislike the glorification of some. Do not get me wrong. I feel for the families and am greatful for what those people did, but I refuse to let the media tell me to pay tribute to someone and let the others go without mention or thought.

[Ilvane]

I really didn't intend to get you all upset Elrodin. I wasn't even saying that Tillman was any more special than your friend or his friends that died.

You do have to admit that most people wouldn't leave that kind of money to serve. And that is what is special about him.

-A

[HarmNone]

I understand what you're saying, Elrodin, and I agree. No one soldier's life is worth more than any other. Life is precious. It is even more precious to us when it is the life of someone we care about, but that makes its loss no more worthy of notice.

The media deals in sensationalism. It is how they draw their audience. It is not their intent, really, to lessen the value of one while heightening the value of another. They are simply playing to their audience by using a name that is known.

HarmNone

[Skirmisher]

Yes, wars are insanity and the number of our own soldiers killed by "friendly" fire is much higher than anyone really thinks.

It is simply one of the very sad risks of entering any such conflicts.

My opinions on the reporting of such things waver as I know they may help the military try to reduce them from happening, but at the same time, reducing them is about all that can be hoped for and after that point its simply sensationalism and counterproductive.

[AnticorRifling]

Originally posted by Hulkein
All gave some. Some gave all.

I saw a guy at a Wawa wearing this shirt. I want one.

http://www.ts-r-me.com/images/america/970041091232.jpg

Why, what did you give?

[Galleazzo]

It's all the sports, man. The White House didn't hold rituals for average guys blown to shit.

Ilvane, I don't know how long you've lived in Massachusetts, but about 15 years ago town of Hull had a budget crisis and they cut all extracurriculars. Sports too.

So channel 5 had a big expose on it and how it sucked and all that. Ending montage had the HS football captain walk into the sunset holding his helmet, head bowed.

Now if they kept sports no one woulda given a shit. It would've just been the French club and the band and the student newspaper, and who puts that on the 6 o'clock news?

Massachusetts ain't any more honest than anywhere else. Tillman led off the local news shows. Average soldiers from here who die don't.