Tribute: Goodbye to a fallen soldier

On July 14th, 1861 Sullivan Ballou, a major in the Rhode Island Volunteers, wrote the following lines in a poignant letter to his beloved wife Sarah, shortly before his death in the battle at " First Manassas."

"If it is necessary that I should fall on the battlefield for my country, I am ready," he said. "I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in, the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans upon the triumph of the Government, and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing -- perfectly willing -- to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt."

These words, written 113 years before the birth of Pat Tillman, perhaps best describe how Tillman felt when deciding to enlist in the United States Army.

Pat Tillman, a former walk-on player at Arizona State University and safety for the Arizona Cardinals, was killed in action in Afghanistan on April 22, 2004. He was merely 27.

By now the Tillman's story has been well documented. He walked away from millions of dollars, a life of luxury and the sense of security we Americans enjoy to do the unthinkable.

He enlisted in the Army upon returning from his honeymoon in 2002.

He enlisted to serve with his brother, because of his tremendous sense of pride and patriotism, and because he felt he owed a debt to all those who fought and died before him, enabling him to enjoy the fruit of their labor, our freedom.

He enlisted with pride, without reservation and without regret, all the while knowing the stark reality of what could come -- his own death.

Tillman refused media interviews, shunned the spotlight and wanted no favoritism thrust upon him. In his mind he was simply one of the many brave American men and women who enlisted to serve our country. In his mind and through his actions Tillman wanted nothing more than to be considered an ordinary soldier.

Yet, today as I deal with the reality of his death, I can clearly say there was nothing "ordinary" about Tillman. He was a man of convictions, beliefs and sense of duty unknown to so many of us. A man who knew his priorities, acted upon them and served our country proudly.

Since the news of his death there have been many articles and television pieces about Tillman. Rather ironic for a man who wanted none of this. I can't help but think that even now Tillman is shunning the spotlight and shifting the focus to the many other brave men and women who have lost their lives do to this conflict. For these men and women were Tillman's teammates, not on the football field, rather on the battlefield.

Far too often in sports the terms war, battle, courage, hero and bravery are thrown around without a second thought. Our sports culture defines Michael Jordan playing with the flu and helping the Bulls beat the Jazz in the NBA finals as heroic. On Sunday's in the fall NFL analysts and commentators will describe the game between the heated rivals as battlefield and how the teams are ready for war. Perhaps now, our sports culture and our society as a whole, has a more distinct understanding of what the terms war, battle, courage and bravery mean. That illustration is Tillman.

Hopefully, the pettiness and selfishness of not wanting to play in San Diego, of not wanting to go into the game because you're not taking the final shot, of not playing in a game because you sprained your index finger, of calling yourself a soldier on the football field, of not showing up for practice, will take a back seat to the example of Tillman. Perhaps these athletes may now realize that one of their own served a greater purpose in effort to allow them to have the freedoms to do what the love.

It's unfathomable to me someone like Tillman can be taken from us. Yet, he knew his purpose, believed in his journey and lived his 27 years to the fullest. There are no words to adequately describe the debt of gratitude I owe Pat Tillman and the many faceless, nameless men and women who have perished in this current conflict and the many before this. I am eternally grateful to Tillman, Sullivan Ballou and the countless men and women who have sacrificed everything for my freedom.

All Americans are not united in their support for this war. There are far too many pro's and con's to list. Yet, it's my hope, today we can remember our troops, those still engaged in conflict and those who have left us far too soon. Our support for them, for those before them, and for those to come should be united and unwavering.

One of the last lines in Ballou's letter read as follows:

"Do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again."

Goodbye Pat Tillman. Though your journey complete, your spirit, your courage and your example live on today, tomorrow and always.