www.truthdig.com/report/item/200601019_after_pats_birthday
Print this item Print Posted on Oct 19, 2006 Pat and Kevin Tillman Courtesy the Tillman Family Pat Tillman (left) and his brother Kevin stand in front of a Chinook helicopter in Saudi Arabia before their tour of duty as Army Rangers in Iraq in 2003.
Kevin Tillman Editor's note: Kevin Tillman joined the Army with his brother Pat in 2002, and they served together in Iraq and Afghanistan. Kevin, who was discharged in 2005, has written a powerful, must-read document. It is Pat's birthday on November 6, and elections are the day after. It gets me thinking about a conversation I had with Pat before we joined the military. How once we committed, we were at the mercy of the American leadership and the American people. How we could be thrown in a direction not of our volition. How fighting as a soldier would leave us without a voice... Much has happened since we handed over our voice: Somehow we were sent to invade a nation because it was a direct threat to the American people, or to the world, or harbored terrorists, or was involved in the September 11 attacks, or received weapons-grade uranium from Niger, or had mobile weapons labs, or WMD, or had a need to be liberated, or we needed to establish a democracy, or stop an insurgency, or stop a civil war we created that can't be called a civil war even though it is. Somehow America has become a country that projects everything that it is not and condemns everything that it is. Somehow our elected leaders were subverting international law and humanity by setting up secret prisons around the world, secretly kidnapping people, secretly holding them indefinitely, secretly not charging them with anything, secretly torturing them. Somehow that overt policy of torture became the fault of a few "bad apples" in the military. Somehow back at home, support for the soldiers meant having a five-year-old kindergartener scribble a picture with crayons and send it overseas, or slapping stickers on cars, or lobbying Congress for an extra pad in a helmet. It's interesting that a soldier on his third or fourth tour should care about a drawing from a five-year-old; or a faded sticker on a car as his friends die around him; or an extra pad in a helmet, as if it will protect him when an IED throws his vehicle 50 feet into the air as his body comes apart and his skin melts to the seat. Somehow the more soldiers that die, the more legitimate the illegal invasion becomes. Somehow American leadership, whose only credit is lying to its people and illegally invading a nation, has been allowed to steal the courage, virtue and honor of its soldiers on the ground. Somehow those afraid to fight an illegal invasion decades ago are allowed to send soldiers to die for an illegal invasion they started. Somehow faking character, virtue and strength is tolerated. Somehow the death of tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people is tolerated. Somehow subversion of the Bill of Rights and The Constitution is tolerated. Somehow suspension of Habeas Corpus is supposed to keep this country safe. Somehow reason is being discarded for faith, dogma, and nonsense. Somehow American leadership managed to create a more dangerous world. Somehow America has become a country that projects everything that it is not and condemns everything that it is. Somehow the most reasonable, trusted and respected country in the world has become one of the most irrational, belligerent, feared, and distrusted countries in the world. Somehow being politically informed, diligent, and skeptical has been replaced by apathy through active ignorance. Somehow the same incompetent, narcissistic, virtueless, vacuous, malicious criminals are still in charge of this country. In a democracy, the policy of the leaders is the policy of the people. So don't be shocked when our grandkids bury much of this generation as traitors to the nation, to the world and to humanity. Most likely, they will come to know that "somehow" was nurtured by fear, insecurity and indifference, leaving the country vulnerable to unchecked, unchallenged parasites.
Sandy on 10/20 at 8:22 am Kevin: What a piece you have written. There is really nothing that one can add to your eloquence, except to say thank you and that I'm terribly sorry for your family's loss and pain.
The birth of my childern, the death of my parents are some of the few. Kevin's writing should be required reading for all Americans. We must put this country back on the right path before it is too late. I intend to do my part starting The Day After Pat's Birthday.
How can we, as a nation, a people who once stood for so much, sit and allow these crimes to stand as acceptable? We choose to ignore the truth, because it is not politically correct. We certainly need change in this country, for us and the world. There is so much suffering that exists all over, and instead of helping, this government is only creating more. We have a long line to uphold, please let's start activily changing our world for the better! I hope that you can find strength in your own words, and I hope that we do not disappoint you on November 7th.
Exxon profits are at all time high and now they have the world's best army to keep it up. Stockholders golf, have sex, buy cars, travel to Hawaii, while patriot-suckers send their kids into a glorious battle of good and evil, one that Jesus would fight in. Just like on video games, giving meaning to those who want to be valuable members of society but have no skills other than killing po' people for rich ho's. I tell my kids that we will suit up for battle when we see the whites of the enemies' eyes coming over the hills. Get ready for the terrorist invasion, just turn on the TV. Pat had the right intentions, Pat was a hero, his legacy will be honored in truth by those who understand that soldiers give the benefit of the doubt to our leaders until there indisputable proof that those leaders are chickenhawk war-profiteers. We have that proof after it was too late for Pat and Kevin's family. But like true hero's Kevin is trying to save other families even if it means he might be perceived as weak on defense. His comments are pure strength compared to sending other kids into battle which is the Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld legacy. Corporate America is about to take a big hit day after Pat's bday. Keep an eye on these voting machines and get ready to protest when the exit polling does not match the results. Keep a video camera on Rove on election day and audit the machines for viruses on election day. Who threatens America when we could launch nuclear missles? Did you know Exon DOES control the price on the pump no matter what spin they feed you? Bush does not control the gas prices but the CEO of Exxon does. The corporate puppet that will now be considered the worst leader in world history or a stranger who may brush off the Tiger's tentacles of greed?
Joe Thompson on 10/20 at 7:51 am Kevin, I just want to add my voice to the chorus of people who want to shout your piece from the rooftops. I am sorry for your lost and thankful for yours and your brothers sacrifices.
Lorenzo Sierra on 10/20 at 7:40 am I can only hope that this wonderful piece is authentic. I suppose it will be authenticated if we see Kevin on various news programs today. Assuming this is legit, I give Kevin my sincerest thanks. I (or anyone other peace-loving non-vet) can say these things and be dismissed as a left-wing, socialist, terrorist-appeasing, freedom-hating, cut and runners. Coming from a vet who served in-country, this sort of message needs to be seen by every American. Sadly, I fear Kevin will fall under some brutal criticism. He will be accuesed of having post-traumatic stress disorder. Talking heads will say that combat and the loss of his brother made him insane. But Kevin, stand firm, and know that I and others have your back.
I myself served in Vietnam as a combat medic and then as a casualty reporter. My memories are of countless bodies and mayhem beyond civilian comprehension. But we must continue in the name of all who have perished in this conflict back to the first patriot to fall in our Revolution.
Sickeningly, this message has to be repeated ...
|
http://csua.com/feed/