I’m so sorry for your loss Kevin.  I wish we could get people to vote.  I have been working in our area to help promote voters to go and make their voices heard. I never supported this war and I do not feel that I somoehow betrayed my country as a result.  I am very proud to be an American, born and raised.  That is why I have the idea that my opinion should matter, that I have the ability to make an educated decision and then make my voice heard.  I find it amusing that the folks who are throwing insults at you about this article and those folks who feel you have betrayed this President and his administration or this country are not confident enough in their beliefs to post their names.  As for the Vetrans of past wars, I would think they would know that the folks who don’t support the war are trying to save the troops, not show their lack of support for them.  We want our troops back, I never wanted them to be sent over in the first place because I knew this was not a fight we could ever win. We are fighting “terrorists” who are “criminals”.  There is no actual dispute with any one given nation.  We are just running a muck in the middle east with a President and his administration who are on a power trip. As for democracy, well, it isn’t the “democratic way” to impose your beliefs onto another person let alone an entire nation.  The religious tensions that have been on going in the middle east could never have been resolved by our current President who had never set foot outside this country before he became President.  That is a sad shame considering his background. But this really is not about Republicans or Democrats.  This is about common sense and human decency and common courtesy amongst the nations around the world.  This administration has been a complete embarrassement to our nation.  We deserve an apology and so does the rest of the world.  We can’t change the past, but we can make a better tomorrow.  Let’s get out and make our voices heard and vote!  I have not spoken to anyone who was ever in support of this President or his administration.  I have no idea how he won.  The only reason is that folks did not feel it was worth the time to go and vote.  I will be at the polls in November.

May God Bless and Keep You.

To All of this I can only say “Amen.” I have felt the most intense rage over what Bush and his fellow conspirators have done to this country, the lies, the arrogance, the blood is on their hands for all the horrible deaths in this war based on lies and deception. Vote Democrat on election day-it is our only hope to change the horror of this madness in Washington!

Can we reprint this and send out with campaign literature?

It’s Truth! may it make your heart hurt or your ears red it is truth!
thank you!

Kevin Tillman, great thought provoking and emotional article.  I am sorry for the loss of your brother.  I still admire his and your patriotism and sacrifice for Our Country. 

God Bless you and your family.

- Ed Bessios

I understand that you are upset with things that are going on in the world and with this nation. But please don’t use your brothers death as a political stance. From one military member to a former one please don’t take the death of your brother a great American (one who gave up the “American Dream”, to serve in the military) and use it as a political front. I don’t think that is what he would have wanted, if it is then maybe just maybe we have been mislead in Pat’s beliefs. If so please find a way to contact me and explain to me what his true mission of joining the military was.

Pat turned away a $3.6 million contract after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to volunteer for the war on terrorism—-his younger brother Kevin, considered Pat a hero; and if Pat was enlisting he would too.  So in the spring of 2002 they both joined the U.S. Army Rangers and, less than a year later, they were both sent to Iraq.

If we take a good look at the individuals who comprise the all-voluntary military, we will see young men and women who truly believe in this country, and eagerly want to serve and defend it.  These men and women of character, innocently assume that their leaders; especially their President possess moral integrity. 

Unfortunately, they assume too much—-but when you are 18 or 19 years of age—you still have the right to be naïve.  Vietnam was the big wake-up call for the baby boomer generation, they cut their baby teeth seeing 50 thousand troops die over 30 years of political ineptitude and lies. 

We can smell the familiar stench of “Vietnam in Iraq”—-but it’s hard to describe a smell of 50 thousand dead troops to the inexperienced--and that is what the cunning, corrupt and guile of this administration is counting on.  Innocence is again being used by the unscrupulous.

We the seasoned of recent history, know the horrors that await, and scream warnings to the innocent, but they are muffled by corporate media, who act like court jesters to the Bush administration.

The needless loss of a best friend and brother, brings not only despair but the realization that perhaps; he might have died in vain-—an epiphany that transforms the innocent into the worldly-wise. 

What will be the final death toll of this misbegotten crusade, and how many more innocent
will begin to smell the stench of death, only to awaken a bit too late.

Pat’s life was lost in a needless war but, perhaps, his death will be a beacon for those still confused.

I am the Vice president of the Local union for letter carriers in springfield va. He really hits the nail on the head. we need to get these knuckleheads out. Ask any Carrier we know what you are dealing with.

Jerry
VP
NALC 4798

Semper Fi, Kevin !!!

“Somehow suspension of Habeas Corpus is supposed to keep this country safe”

Lincoln suspended it during the civil war for good reason.

I don’t think you were very clear in your critique. The “somehow” theme has its superficial drama but it drifts into vagaries.

I didn’t support the war when it started because there was no clarity of purpose. It seemed to come out of left field. I also saw no compelling reason
to have a war “over there” when we don’t even watch our own borders.

That said I latter on saw some good purposes for the war. What I saw go wrong was how the military got neutered and the war descended into political correctness while the Democrat party sided with the enemy. They sought to destabilise the war for selfish political gain.

This week Time magazine declared the Taliban “Undefeated”. Yet just a few weeks ago we learned the military would not fire rockets at Taliban soldiers while at a funeral. This is the problem I see and why the war drags on. Time didn’t criticize the political correctness keeping the military soft on the enemy and this article was just an attempt to smear the war effort before the election.

Your criticism about how the rest of the world sees us doesn’t mean much because the rest of the world is almost useless - look at the UN and its corruption.

I can see where secret prisons would be useful because the open prisons like Guantanamo are used by the Al Qaeda supporting Democrats and the psychotic left as weapons to destabilise the country.

I do think the Bush White House has failed us. But I think a lot of the causes of the problems start with the other half of this country that isn’t American anymore. Kennedy, Murtha, Boxer, Pelosi, Moveon.org, ACLU etc. - these peopleare the real problem. Bush is wacky but he’s not criminal like these people.

God Bless Pat.

i pray for all the family’s that have lost loved one’s. but that is the point of this world conflict. president bush and the pope of the chatolic church both understand now what pepole that truly want to live in peace are are trying to stop.
i guarded nucks in the us army (germany) in the 70’s and the radicals that are trying to obtain them now will use them to send the world backward 3 or 4 centurys

Thank you for offering your strength, honesty, courage and heart in your darkest time. Reading what you’ve expressed brought tears to my eyes. I know how much it hurts to loose someone you love to something completely senseless and brutal. My deepest sympathies to you and yours.

Kevin, all that I am hearing you say is that your brother (God Bless him) was a hypocrit.  Why would your brother give up all that he had so that he could fight for something that he didnt even believe in?  If president Bush hadnt done anything, do you really believe that the terrorists would just stop? That they would say “Oh, well America didnt retaliate after we killed thousands of their country men so lets just stop killing innocents, pack our bags and leave.”?  I’m sorry for your brothers death but I think that if your brother didnt believe in what this country was, or stood for, than why would he so willingly give up his life for it?

awesome article

It’s true that America is now globally hated, but Americans themselves aren’t, because so many of them show the sort of sense and sensitivity that Kevin does, and that Pat did. Good Americans abound, but they are ruthlessly weeded out if they ever aspire to the levers of power. It would be nice to think America could put it’s best face forward but maybe a catastrophe is what’s required to bring about the conditions that could support such a change.

i read the article. it’s obvious kevin and his family have suffered a tremendous loss. i am truly sorry for that. but as i read the letter i see lots of criticism and blame. but i see no nomention of solutions. i see readers agreeing with kevin, but i still see no suggestions of solutions. the people of our nation are great at blaming, criticizing, and finding fault, just not good at all at fixing the problems. i agree the war has been going on far too long. let the people of iraq try to do it for themselves. as long as we the american people let the politicians get away with the way our country has been governed for so many years, nothing, i say nothing, will change. i haven’t seen any politician, republican or democrat, that can or will be able to make a difference. i am a disabled gulf war veteran watching my friends children now going off to war, a war that should be over. i say to all americans who don’t like what is going on, do something about it. voting is a good place to start. stop whining about it and make a difference. wake up america.

You’ve said it all, Kevin.  As a 64 year old veteran of the U.S. Army, I am ashamed of what this administration has done to what I refer to as “my Army.” When will we ever recover our honor?  My heart goes out to you over your loss of your brother.  Everyone who dies in uniform is our brother and sister.  I weep for you.

I guess my comments don’t make it in, unless I go against the administration, oh, well, imagine that from democrats!!

I am a veteran and if necessary, would have done everything possible to defend the country. Under the current circumstances, I would have not gone to war.
All one had to do is listen to NPR, or one of the altrnative cable shows. Ones that allow legitimate discussions from both sides, such as C-SPAN, and it could have been easily seen by all, that the run-up to this war was a farce.
I have a cousin there, and he’s 17yr Marine. He says it’s a joke, and the theft and waste is unbearable. He said there is nothing, nothing of substance going on over there.

I have never seen such an outpouring of responses to a letter befire.  this is the rd letter i have written about his brother’s conversation with pat.
i just hope and pray that the house is taken back.  the house is more important then the senate becaus then the world will know via supena power how a group of people nearly destroyed our constitution and the country.

I couldn’t be more sorry for your loss. I was probably as hurt as you, as I lost my brother as well. I have also, always been an ASU fan, and most of all a Native American. The last is the most important to me. This country was stolen, probably by your ancestors, and yet we live here, don’t we. Everything isn’t perfect, I know. But, no matter what I will ALWAYS support this country, as it is my land. This is all I have, as a Native. Being hurt, as bad as it is, only makes us stronger, you should stay strong, and support your fellow Americans. We need you, just like you need us. Take Care, and please hear my message.........Jennifer

KEVIN, WHAT A BRAVE LITERARY COMMENT!  I DO BELIEVE, THANKS TO GOD, THAT THE “TIDE OF SENTIMENT” IN OUR COUNTRY IS ON THE VERGE OF A DRASTIC AND MUCH NEEDED CHANGE.  WHAT A TERRIBLE PITY IT IS, THAT IT TOOK THE LIVES OF SO MANY OF OUR BRAVE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN TO SHAKE THE AMERICAN CONSCIENCE UP.  MY PRAYERS AND HEART FELT THANKS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

What does it mean to be a citizen?

Please Kevin,

Someone like you could mobilize the antiwar movement. Please call for mass demonstrations and strikes so the American people can demand sanity.

Thanks

Kevin’s truth is our reality and we must hold ourselves accountable and behave responsibly NOW!

My Dear Kevin Tillman,
Thank You from the bottom of my heart.  You’re a HERO having fought for us, and now for taking a punch at the big bulley!  The one that was suppose to look out for us, has betrayed us! Unfortunately you are right, except for the part that no one will give an account, THEY WILL, for God is a God of Justice!!  And by the way God is a Man of War too (Exodus 15:3)!  Seeing our son go to Iraq was the 2nd hardest things I’ve had to do.  I “too” believed we were making a safer America, sometimes to have peace you need to make war.  This situation hurts, not only because its my country, but to see my son in the middle of this, well you know how it feels.  But only God keeps me going and gives me rest and hope!  May you find Jesus as your Saviour too, for my heart aches for yours!  Truly sorry about MY HERO PAT TILLMAN.
I Salute You My Dear Kevin Tillman!

God bless you, Kevin.

Kevin

Thank you for speaking out about what is going on. I was deeply saddened by your brothers passing.I hung your brothers picture on our fridge so we could see him everyday. It keeps us grounded and reminds us of who a true patriot is. My 12 year old daughter’s father is a Vietnam vet and we have the utmost respect for the men and women who serve our country. My only concern is that the wall will continue to grow because the greedy over paid politicians in Washington have no idea what the people really want. We are a nation that is headed for self destruction. Kevin, you are strong and the anger that you feel will help move a generation that has been sleeping. Thank you again for speaking out and bringing the name of Pat Tillman into my home.

Somehow 19 broken UN resolutions and great World and American political concensus regarding Iraq’s threat to the west now constitutes an Illegal war. Appreciate your service, appreciate your loss… I too have served and I too have lost! Some of us chose to be bitter, some of us chose to move on!

why is it that men who have NEVER been in battle are so quick to start wars i dont see any of there kids in it wonder why .

That was so well written and true, Kevin.  God bless you and your brother.  Thank you for what you do.  I’m sorry it’s at the hands of our leaders of whom you spoke.

Have you heard of the new movie documentary about soldiers in Iraq? It voices the same things you wrote.  There is an organization called Vets Against the War, I think.  It sounds like it’s right up your alley.  Continue to spread the word. Peace.

Pat Roach

Hard to believe some of the right-wing bullshit comments about Kevin’s letter from the pathetically brainwashed, low-brow chickenhawks on the board here. They are apparently suffering under the delusion that they know what is right and best for the world. Pictures and first hand reports of the little kids, women and innocent bystanders killed and maimed thanks to our “liberation” of Iraq are all over the net. Educate yourselves with them, wingnuts, and then go look at your own little kids and feel, just for a moment, the feelings of a poor Iraqi whose family has been blown to smithereens by one of our laughably-named “surgical strikes”. If you can’t get on the correct side of this injustice to all humanity, then get your dumb ass out of the USA and over to Russia, Syria, or one of the countries that behave like fascists. I’m sure they’d love to have you. Decent Americans sure don’t want you here anymore, defending the likes of this current corrupt administration. God bless you and your folks and family, Kev, and thanks for the balls to not only serve, but speak out with the truth of what you saw. Your opinion is worth more than all the lying clowns who are in power now. Throw the bastards out Nov. 7.

If memory serves me right, I do believe we are still short a couple of planes, two towers, and 3000 people.

JAMES, FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I WAS VERY PROUD OF PAT AND YOURSELF FOR JOINING AFTER 9/11. BUT NOW, YOU DISGRACE THE VERY REASONS YOUR BROTHER WENT TO OVER THERE. I HAD THE HONOR TO SERVE MY COUNTRY AS A MARINE. I HAD THE DIS-HONOR OF SERVING A PEANUT PICKING (DEMOCRATE) PRESIDENT THAT DID NOTHING WHEN THE IRANIANS TOOK ARE PEOPLE. AND THE ONLY REASON THAT THEY WERE LET GO IS BECAUSE WE HAD A STRONG (REPUBLICAN) PRESIDENT REAGAN COMING TO POWER. I WILL ALWAYS WONDER WERE WOULD WE ALL BE IF THAT PEANUT PICKING (DEMOCRATE) PRESIDENT WOULD HAVE HAD THE GUTS TO GO OVER THERE AND DO WHAT WAS NEEDED TO GET OUR PEOPLE BACK. I WONDER WOULD WE HAVE HAD 9/11 OR WOULD THEY HAVE THOUGHT TWICE ABOUT IT. BUT IT ALL DID HAPPEN AND NOW WE HAVE A STRONG REPUBLICAN IN OFFICE, HE DIDN’T START THIS WAR, BUT I SURE HOPE THAT HE GIETS TO FINISH IT WITH A WIN, AND NOT A RETREAT LIKE ALL THE BLEEDING HEART LIBERIAL DEMOCRATES WANT TO DO.
THANK YOU FOR SERVING AND I’M SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR BROTHER. BUT, I TWO WONDER HOW MUCH YOU WERE PAID TO WRITE THIS AT ELLECTION TIME.

Kevin, your honesty and passion, your fury and grief is so crucial for us to hear now, as we prepare to vote, and to find a way to stop the madness of these wars, and the way “our” government (though I can no longer call it “mine") has managed to corrupt whatever moral integrity and supposedly honorable objectives we claim to pursue.

I am ashamed to admit that when my University of California, Santa Barbara (not exactly a hot-bed of radicalism) cohorts and I were out there protesting the Vietnam War and demonstrating against the occupation (by National Guard and brutal L.A. Sheriffs) of Isla Vista, our idyllic student ghetto by the sea); when we were being pepper-gassed, arrested, and beaten for leaving our living quarters after an early evening curfew and for collectively protesting that curfew; when we lost a close fraternity brother, Kevin Moran, who was killed by a Santa Barbara sheriff, while Kevin was trying to calm the protesters’ rock-throwing rage, we never imagined that we could NOT change or improve our country and the world.  We were utterly CONVINCED that we COULD and most certainly WOULD make life more equitable, more fulfilling, more humane--in other words, that we could do a much better job than our parents’ generation did and somehow overcome the injustices, the futile, arrogantly distorted self-righteous belief that the U.S. would somehow “democratize” the world in “our” own image. 

Back then we had trouble swallowing LBJ’s and Nixon’s rationale (and the policies it produced) that our mission in Vietnam was “patriotic,” and would somehow “save the world from communism”; now our disappointment and disrespect for “our” government leaders has become more intensified, more outraged than we ever imagined, because we know what is at stake, and so do you.  Every statement you make, all of your “somehow” reflections, reveal our incredible obliviousness and passivity to my generation’s tremendous failure and, as you say, all of our grandchildren are going to pay the highest price.

Kevin, I have been waiting, ever since Pat was killed, to hear YOUR perceptions and your passion, not only in response to Pat’s tragic and unnecessary death, but also because I couldn’t even begin to imagine how traumatic it must have been for you, because you were THERE, you witnessed it, yet the military made sure that you didn’t know the details for weeks and then they ordered you to make no comments about the incident.  Why, I wonder?  What were they so afraid you might say? 

I know a bit about how excruciating it has been for some members of your family because when Pat was killed so suddenly (that talented, whacky apparently invincible guy who would try anything once, and had used a few of his nine lives in the process), I was teaching a university course on the Vietnam War Era, and your cousin--who was, I discovered later, really more like a younger sister to you and Pat--was a student in my class. 

I remember the moment when she came to my office and, trying to stifle her tears, told me that she would be missing a few classes because her cousin, Pat, had just been killed in Afghanistan and she needed to go be with her family.  She was clearly devastated, and a bit dazed and shocked, but she spoke with great courage and clarity. I hugged her and asked her to stay in touch by phone or e-mail, reassuring her that we would work out whatever course work she might miss during this agonizing time.  And so she went south, to the Bay Area, to be with your then close-knit family; she hoped by being there, that she might find a way through the grief and loss of her “big brother” Pat, who had always managed (with you in cahoots, I suspect) to include her in some wild, spontaneous adventures--whether they be playing some strange mutation of touch football or, at family gatherings, pulling her out of bed for a 3:00 a.m. ride to some a “truly bizarre” place Pat had discovered and just had to show her and anyone else he could drag along.  As I have come to know, Pat wanted to experience EVERYTHING, to frequently take risks (without putting others in danger, if he could help it); he wanted to LIVE IT ALL and, though I don’t know you, I suspect you must have some of that incredibly passionate spirit as well, or you wouldn’t have enlisted with Pat, and gone to the most dangerous place in the world (at that time), on an impossible mission, with equipment so inferior that it was putting all of your lives constantly at risk.

I now admit, with embarrassment, that I had no idea who “Pat Tillman” was (sorry, very little NFL in my repertoire), that day when your cousin came to my office, but I soon learned--BIG TIME.  And, when she returned to school, after a week or so away, before the big “public memorial,” where thousands of people (who didn’t know Pat at all, but believed they did, because the media frenzy had morphed him into larger-than-life SACRIFICIAL HERO to somehow justify his death), sat and dabbed their eyes about the loss of such a courageous young man, a patriot who had walked away from a $3+ million NFL contract to defend his country in the name of freedom and democracy.

In your powerful and courageous letter, you give us a crucial, passionate warning:  WAKE UP!  VOTE! In Pat’s name, and as a small gesture of retribution for his senseless death, we must all take responsibility for what happened to him, for the 3,000+ Americans who have died in Afghanistan and Iraq, and for the hundreds of thousands of civilians who have already died in Afghanistan and Iraq.

I have purposely omitted my student’s name here; she has suffered greatly too, and the way the media has exploited Pat’s death and your family’s privacy has been terribly destructive, as well.  But she has also given us a great gift: she comes and speaks in my classes, even as the truth slowly emerged about the “friendly fire” accident (information not revealed to you or your family for five weeks), about the chaotic events of that day when Pat was killed by fire from the “Serial 2” half of his own platoon, after the Lt. in charge had been ordered, over repeated objections, to divide the platoon).  We also know that Pat, in the “Serial 1” half of the platoon, died as he and other Rangers were signaling the Serial 2 Rangers below to cease firing on their own men on the ridge above.

So, I thank you for your courage, for your willingness to speak your truth, even for putting your life in danger in an illegal and futile war.  May we all heed your call and become accountable for what we have allowed and, in the process, honor Pat and you.

With great respect for you and your family, Lorelle

Kevin,
You and your brother are American heroes - brave soldiers who refused to become mindless automatrons easily used and exploited by the powerful.
I was a big fan of Pat when he played at ASU and then for the Cardinals.  What you both did was extraordinarily heroic.  Sorry for your loss and thank you for your continued bravery.

Kevin

My husband was also an Army Ranger during the same time you & Pat were.  He has also regained his voice and so have I.  We both stand with you 100% and then some!  Thank you for using your voice to let the truth be known!

Kevin, I applaud your speaking out and your eloquence in doing so. As a babyboomer and having lived through a “must win war” for the freedom of America thirty five years ago, I am amazed and appalled. Have we learned nothing from our past mistakes? That the American people tolerate a leadership that lies to it’s people, and continues to justify it’s illegal occupation of a sovereign nation flies in the face of what I was taught that America stands for. Hopefully we can clear some of the trash from congress in the upcoming elections and begin to restore our country to one we are proud of and live by the principals we know to be right.

I couldn’t agree more.  We have some serious choices to make in November. 

Kevin:

I am moved by the power of your words.  Coming from a true American Patriot.  Bless you.

KEVIN, I AM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, BUT, THOUSANDS OF WARRIORS HAVE COME BEFORE YOU AND WILL COME AFTER......THE FIRST AND SECOND WORLD WARS WERE TO END ALL WARS.....KOREA, VIETNAM, AND NOW THE MIDDLE EAST, SHOWS THAT WAS A FARCE .....WAR WILL NOT END BECAUSE LEADERS WILL ALWAYS FIND A REASON TO TRY TO DOMINATE OTHERS.  IT’S UP TO EACH ONE OF US WHO ARE FREE TO CONTINUE TO DEFEND FREEDOM.  YOU CAN DO THIS WITH A GUN, EID, PEN, ETC, .  ALL OF US WHO HAVE AN OPINION SHOULD EXPRESS IT, YOURS IS BUT ONE...I HAVE SPENT THE LAST THREE YEARS VISITING THE WOUNDED MARINES OF CAMP PENDELTON, CA......THESE YOUNG HEROES WERE THE BRAVE WARRIORS KICKING DOWN DOORS IN A NUMBER OF CITIES IN IRAQ, THEY , OR I WILL SAY 90-95%, BELIEVE WE SHOULD STAY AND FINISH THE JOB STARTED IN THE MIDDLE EAST.  YOU HAVE EXPRESSED YOUR NEGATIVE FEELINGS THAT YOU NOW HAVE, BUT WHEN YOU AND PAT SIGNED UP TO SERVE YOUR COUNTRY......WHAT DID YOU EXPECT TO RECIEVE?  MEDALS, THANK YOU’S, OR THE SATISFACTION OF A JOB WELL DONE TO PROVIDE THE WORLD WITH FREEDOM, FROM YOUR EFFORTS.  I TOO LOST BUDDIES IN VIETNAM, I WAS A HOSPITAL CORPSMAN WITH THE 1/5 MARINES IN CHU LAI IN 1965-66.  I AM NOT A ROOKIE LIKE OTHERS WHO HAVE LOGGED ON BUT A BROTHER WHO HAS BEEN THERE.....AGAIN I’M SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS BUT 55,000 WER LOST IN NAM, 620,000 LOST IN THE CIVIL WAR BUT FREEDOM COSTS........THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE................HM3 DOC

thank you, i have sent this to my distribution list.
If you can take the time to forward raunchy jokes, surely we can take the time to forward something as important as this

What a load of rubbish. Any decent comments and points that may have been made are completely overshadowed by a host of stupid statements right out of the moonbat playbook.

Utter rubbish.

Well done and well said.  I will pass this on to everyone I know and will save it to pass it on to new friends.

Interesting how there still seem to be those among us who have never served in the military, never had to kill- or watch a friend die, yet they still feel the urge to denounce the words of someone who has “been there, done that”.

I am glad to see the letters of support, but remain dismayed at the ignorant sheeple who will apparently follow the GOP down whatever path to Hell they feel is needed to ensure their re-election.

I wish these “armchair generals” would grow a pair, and sign up. Let’s see how you feel after being lied to about number of tours, deployment time, and cause for your service. That is, if you don’t find yourself blown to pieces for the President. You certainly won’t be laying down your life for any of us common people, let alone the ungrateful masses in the Middle East.

RC
USMC 1997-2003

Kevin,
I think you are way out of line. I doubt you would be complaining if things worked out better. I’m sorry that things didn’t work out the way we were all hoping, but that is no reason to start calling the war “illegal” and calling our leaders “criminals”. Were you saying these things at the beginning of Iraq invasion? I’m sure you were not. You are basically being a really bad sport. That is what it comes down to.

I’m not saying that our government hasn’t made mistakes. They have made plenty of mistakes. I am not convinced that it was necessary for us to go into Iraq. I think it was probably a mistake. But that doesn’t mean that I’m going to start calling our leaders “criminals”. Our leaders have done the best job that they could. I think they’ve made plenty of mistakes but that doesn’t make them bad people. They have served their country just like you have. Rumsfeld has served his country for much of his life. He was a navy pilot when he was young.

I am very sorry for your brother’s death. I am a US Soldier serving in Korea, and I pray that God will bless you for this article. As a Soldier- I defend a democracy that I myself am not a part of. As a Soldier I am taught to obey the orders of those appointed over me and that is what I do. As a US citizen we should be expected to do nothing less than the US Soldier. US citizens are quick to dog the judgement of our US leaders! Can you imagine the sleepless nights that President Bush has? It takes a hell of a person to do what they feel is right for the country inspite of millions of critics and thousands of our sons and daughters being sent to certain death. I think that we as US Soldiers and US citizens ahould support our leadership. When the time comes everyone who hate the leadership they have can vote for a different set of leaders. As I stated in the middle of this article- when all the dust settles and the smoke clears on election day, I am still an American Soldier, I am a warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and I live the ARMY values!!!

My heart goes out to Kevin and his family for their loss.  I also thank them for their sacrificed for this country.  I do vehemently disagree with what he has said.  Thanks to their service, we still have freedom of speech.
I wonder how many people who are freaking out over the “civil war” in Iraq remember the early days of this wonderful nation we live in.  Not everyone agreed on how we should have our own freedom.  It took many years of fighting and the loss of many lives before we finally came into our own and became what we are today.  What is going on in Iraq is a normal part of becoming a democracy, especially when you consider the different types of peoples there.  It’s time for this nation to stop arguing politics and blaming each other, and come together and support our troops and our nation.  Whether or not we agree with being over there, the fact is...we’re there.  Everyone agrees that pullng out now would be tragic.  Now we need to do whatever we need to do to support our troops and our President to support that young democracy and bring our troops home as soon as possible.  The name calling and sour grapes is only adding to the problems.

Sorry I do not agree with you Mr. Tillman.  I served in the Navy and my husband presently serves.  You are so wrong about the many reason you feel we should not be in Iraq or Afghanistan.  I have spoken with many who have been there and feel we are doing a great job and should definately stay the course.  War is not a pleasant journey.  It is fighting for a belief.  One that I feel is best defined by this administration.  How short sided so many of the people who have responded on here are.  I am thankful for those that continue to put their country first in staying the course and not cutting and running on one, the military, and two your country.  How sad to see you all live in a microwave mindset.  War takes time.  How long did it take us for our freedom?  And we were fighting soldiers that could be identified. Thank God for my husband and those he serves with that continue the fight today, and will continue till we win.  Which we will.

I found your simple, but true, statement regarding the knowledge of surrendering your voices with your choice of military service a down to the bone,cut to the chase, reality. I served Viet Nam era, and it was this very thing that gave me what voice I have used since.I found your words true coming from any conflict era. This is why politicians choose to speak on military bases, ships, etc. When is the last time that a politician was booed or chastised by his audience. Your words answer this, and the sad thing is we the people know it yet let it continue. We will never be a truly free people until we free ourselves of such apathy. I for one will wait no longer not even until after your late brother’s birthday. I wish your family peace in knowing your brother’s character demonstrated his uniqueness. I have cast away any hint of my affiliation with a political party, because I do commit the remainder of my life to a vote for character not words. Thank you for opening up your private relationship with your brother. It has reached one person for sure.