Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
"I haven't done a damn thing." Pat Tillman post 9/11.
Well, Pat Tillman, thank you for doing everything.
Well, Pat Tillman, thank you for doing everything.
Words cannot express the gratitude and thanks that belongs to all those who have served and those who have given their life to preserve our Freedom. Cherish every moment of every day because it was purchased with the life blood of so many.
The old white #40 is the only Cardinal's jersey that I will wear. I do it in honor of Pat Tillman, and for his sacrifice, and for the way he lived his life. Don't get me wrong, I love our Cardinals and would be truly happy to wear almost any of their jerseys, but I hold Pat's in special esteem, and wear it with great humility and respect. Rest in Peace Mr. Tillman, and ALL those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us.
Pat Tillman, a man like no other, thank you and all those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom for America!
wow, it's been a while since I've been here. But I wanted to stop in and say hello and RIP to one of the greatest NFL players in the history of the game. Catfish you are the perfect example of why I believe Pat should be enshrined into the NFL HOF one day. I'm not a cardinals fan, but I was in basic training when he died and I remember he used to always play well against dallas when I watched the cardinals 2 times a year. Then in my 4 years in Phoenix his legacy was stronger than any other single player in that time. happy memorial day!The old white #40 is the only Cardinal's jersey that I will wear. I do it in honor of Pat Tillman, and for his sacrifice, and for the way he lived his life. Don't get me wrong, I love our Cardinals and would be truly happy to wear almost any of their jerseys, but I hold Pat's in special esteem, and wear it with great humility and respect. Rest in Peace Mr. Tillman, and ALL those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us.
Thank you all so very much for supporting those of us in uniform!
Being in the military is a lot like a marriage - when its great it can be really, really great.... when its tough it can be really, really tough. But its during the tough times that you remember why you joined in the first place, why you "do what you do," and what the alternative could be (then you sign up for another 4 years).
I originally joined in 1991 as the first Gulf War was in full swing. When I was 18 it was about being on a kick ass team (competing together and competing against one another), fulfilling a family legacy, and getting the heck out of the mid-west.
When I was 24 it was about leadership. I'd met some not-so-great officers as a junior enlisted man and I knew there was a better way of doing business. I told myself that if I was ever given the opportunity to lead troops I'd never forget where I came from. And the self-centered motivation of the 24-year old version of me was to complete a life-long dream of flying airplanes.
At around the 10-year point my attitude started to change from self-centered to selfless. I finally started to realize (after 9/11) that the reason military members are fit, obedient, and supportive of one another is because we do what others cannot do or are unwilling to do. There are many people on this earth whom are tougher, stronger, meaner, and far more lethal than folks in uniform. But the kids in uniform are willing to step into the line of fire if a buddy is in trouble. They are willing to obey an order which could put their lives in danger because they trust their leaders. And, when called upon, they'll endure a whole bunch of pain before they ever think of breaking faith with their country or fellow soldiers/sailors/marines/airmen.
At around the 15 year point I'd spent many months away from my wife and kids. I missed a lot of important milestones and had inadvertently put a lot of stress on my family (7 moves will do that to even the strongest family). But we were approaching the finish line and it now mattered less what I was doing for the counrty and more about what I was doing for my family - "in 5 years daddy might be able to stop being in the Navy."
Now, 23 years after I first joined, I'm not sure where we are at. The family has weathered the storm and the promotions have kept on coming, so we don't know what the future might bring (though it sounds like I'll be around a lot longer). With age (and experience) comes wisdom, and I now know that I have been incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to serve the American people. You all were patient with me when I need to grow up and learn discipline in my first enlistment. You all demonstrated faith in my abilities when you sent me home to earn my undergraduate degree, and then even more faith when you trusted me to go zipping around in the Florida and Texas skies learning how to fly airplanes. You took care of my family while I was, as my wife would say, "saving the world" on deployments. You paid for the birth of my 3 children and you paid to move our family all across this great nation and experience the beautiful, diverse culture and geography we have. You trusted me to take full advantage of 2 years out of uniform while I earned a graduate degree, that, again, your tax dollars paid for. And now you all trust me to make mulit-millon dollar decisions on how to best build a fleet that can counter any threat, demonstrate forward presence, and preserve our Constitution.
Why is it such an honor to serve? Because, despite what the NFL players say, WE, the US Armed Forces, have the world's greatest fans.
yes we do have the world's best fans. and it is great to have the support. I was fortunate enough to hold the flag before a colts/jets playoff game and we got the loudest ovation of the night. it was one of the best moments ever. and I agree with everything you said. I spent my first enlistment in phoenix and i absolutely loved it. for most of that time I was on here almost every day because these cardinals fans are some of the best fans I've ever encountered. certainly as a whole better than dallas fans.Thank you all so very much for supporting those of us in uniform!
Why is it such an honor to serve? Because, despite what the NFL players say, WE, the US Armed Forces, have the world's greatest fans.