The Tillman Story

The Tillman Story

A good documentary is so satisfying and I always learn a lot. I remember when the Pat Tillman story first broke. Pat was a famous football hero. He was a defensive back for the NFL. He gave up all the glory to enlist with his brother in the American army. I remember questioning why he would do such an outrageous thing.

The documentary tells us many facts about his life and shows us the type of honorable person that he was.

He had an infectious smile and was very handsome. He was caring and friendly to his fellow soldiers and never seemed to play the football hero role.

Pat Tillman was killed on a road ambush. His memorial was huge. There were numerous flags and large amounts of flowers. Political dignitaries were in attendance. He was played up to be such a hero who died for the glory of his country. He was presented a Silver Star.

The facts began coming out that he was actually killed by friendly fire. The memorial was planned as a political device using his name to glorify the army.

Much of the story is told by his mother. She is an amazing woman and was relentless in trying to get the facts about his death. As the facts became known it was pointed out that it was actually known by higher political figures that he was killed by fellow soldiers. We see an actual clipping from the investigation. The army personnel and political figures couldn’t seem to remember anything. After the investigation we could see all the officials laughing together.

I was so repulsed when a news clip showed Barbara Bush speaking with her husband. The story had just broken about Pat Tillman’s death. Barbara Bush stated,” Why should we hear about body bags and death?”

One soldier tried to tell the facts as he knew it to happen. He was told to be quiet. Not only was he ordered to accompany the body back to the States he had to inform the parents about Pat’s death.( giving the false story) His father was so devastated at the news of his son’s death but even more upsetting was the lie perpetuated by the government. The father stated at his memorial.” He’s not with God. He’s fucking dead.” He said that the government picked the wrong family to lie to.

It is a powerful story well told.