What kind of person would turn their back on,
Three point six million genuine American bucks?
Then go through a rigorous boot camp,
Where passing it has nothing to do with luck.
This was unheard of about three years ago,
That amount could be almost ten million today,
Someone who's unselfish, a hero, a statesman,
Just a few of the thoughts we might very well say.
To become an elite US Army Ranger no less,
Not carry the flag and march in some parade,
Enlisting to fight in a war that was his to avoid,
Not hiding in Canada where draft dodgers stayed.
It was more than type A, B, O or a rare blood,
That ran through this dedicated young man's veins,
It was a sense of patriotic obligation and tradition,
Turning him away from a multi-million dollar game.
Parents, family, friends, many others want answers,
Two and a half years later and I can understand why,
It's not that he perished in combat on April 22, 2004,
But, from friendly fire should any soldier have to die?
A modern world of high tech filled gadgets with sci-fi gizmos,
5,000 miles away an egg is measured exactly how high and wide,
Yet less than a few clicks away in a remote place called Afghanistan,
It's impossible to tell whether or not soldiers are on the same side?
One of the servicemen who shot at him, recently had laser eye surgery,
Tiger Woods had a similar operation yet he's the best we will ever see,
Four soldiers firing failed to identify themselves so there was no repeat,
It's the enemy and not your own Army seeking to kill the Ranger elite.
So here they are just before Veterans Day desperately trying to figure out how,
Special agents and investigators like Hyenas or Cheetahs on a mid-day prowl,
If what happened is discovered, to the public all will not be made known,
Where are the referees and line judges? A penalty flag should be thrown.
Pride will never be measured or counted in dollars and cents,
Giving up a carefree, professional, lifestyle in Arizona, not content,
It's a faithful & spiritual value connecting one's mind to the heart,
An American soldier in a foreign country is only one of many parts.
The United States Military doesn't need an infusion of athletic heroes,
Just those who are not impressed with $ signs followed by a lot of zeros.
Going through recruit training then to different bases the Army will send,
The sports world needs more players with the courage of such unselfish men.
Three years later several U.S. Army Officers supposedly will have to pay,
An alleged verbal reprimand might or might not be listed in their resume,
Heck, why not just do it like in day care and slap those nasty little hands?
Even in death compared to Pat Tillman they can never be half of that man.
The two made quite a sacrifice
By joining the Armys elite
The motto, Rangers Lead The Way
Now, for one is bittersweet.
They both walked from professions
And put it All on the front line
To do their Duty to their Country
For, Freedoms of yours and mine.
He lost his Brother to the enemy
In an ambush firefight
The Ranger Creed is what He lived by
And He believed in what was right.
He said, his Grandpa was at Pearl
But, felt He hadnt done His part
So, after Nine Eleven
He knew what to do, down in His heart.
He made the Sacrifice, Supreme
And He surely gave His all
And in that Army, up in Heaven
You can bet Hes standing Proud and Tall.
Del Abe Jones
canada kid
06-Dec-2004 04:35
Now here is a patriot! Gives up millions of dollars and fame and 'any' girl he'd give the nod to ... in order to get over to the battlefield to help the planet fight terrorism and help young bucks like himself on the ground and in the thick of the action. There should be a Pat Tillman day. Patriotism such as this is the stuff of 'Alexander the Great'. Thanks to Jeff Knapp, a good-souled american dad, for the world to see this memorial via the web!!