A Hero Who Never Intended to Be

Author's Note: This post is from a reflection piece done to satisfy our understanding, or at least an attempt to understand, why people choose to act in ways that, while brave in one sense, place themselves in great peril. Try to imagine yourself making the choice to act heroically if you are given the chance some time in your life...what will you do?

There comes a time in everyone’s life when very important decisions must be made. The choice to use drugs or not, to attend college or enter the world of work upon completion of high school, to sit passively on the side, ignoring a greater calling or to serve one’s country in the military in a time of national need. Pat Tillman, a professional football player from the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, as described in an MSNBC.com news article, made a life changing decision after the devastating attacks in the United States on 9/11/2001 by quitting his multiyear, 3.6 million dollar contract and joining the military to defend his country. Tillman is, and will always be one of America’s true heroes that all individuals need to know more about.

A hero is defined in most cases as a person who commits an act of remarkable bravery or who has shown an admirable quality such as great courage or strength of character. Few people who have never served in the armed forces understand what bravery and commitment is required for service in our military. Pat Tillman’s choice to join the Army Rangers is an example of great courage and strength of character. Making such an important and life-changing decision, to leave the relatively safe world of America and a career as a professional athlete, despite the obvious risks involved, causes one to take notice of such people who choose the “difficult” over the “easy”. Although facing horrible conditions on the ground in Afghanistan in early 2004, Tillman, along with his brother Kevin, chose to be part of the thousands of American men and women who defend our country from the evils of the world. Sadly, Tillman and a fellow soldier were killed in a fire-fight with enemy forces 25 miles southwest of the U.S. Army base in the city of Khost, Afghanistan.

The conscious effort to be part of America’s fighting force is something to not be taken lightly. Men and women who sacrifice their lives to protect the lives of their fellow soldiers and countrymen are of the highest degree of strength of character. As a result of this tragic loss of life by Tillman and the Afghan soldier, the number of people across the country who spoke out was tremendous. From Senator John McCain, the vice president of the Arizona Cardinals, Mike Bidwell, and former teammate Jake Plummer, messages of great sorrow and honor were bestowed upon Tillman. “He was a brave man, said Bidwell. “There are very few people who have the courage to do what he did, the courage to walk away from a professional sports career and make the ultimate sacrifice.” It would be hard to find a person anywhere who would disagree. Individuals who think of others first are of the highest quality: persons who should be honored and respected due to their deep dedication and sacrifice. Perhaps they do not realize what they really become when they serve our country, but yet they should know: they are heroes in the highest degree.

In order to understand what a hero truly is, the story of Pat Tillman and his tremendous efforts need be told. When all Americans come to understand the commitment, dedication and sacrifice military personnel make, more Americans will see what heroes really are.