'Rambo' column ignorant
This is a letter I sent to the UMass Daily Collegian in regards to a column that said Pat Tillman wasn't a hero, but just some "Rambo" (Pat Tillman is not a hero: he got what he deserved," by Rene Gonzalez, April 28):
Dear Editor:
I heard about the column written about Pat Tillman not being a hero, read it and am appalled. As a student at Arizona State, I had the honor to meet Pat Tillman a couple of times when he was just starting at ASU and I was finishing my bachelor's degree. He was a man who was steered by conviction and the desire to help others.
However, Mr. Gonzalez has chosen to spatter his memory with ridiculous words of hate. In fact, by suggesting that Pat Tillman was Rambo, he also belittles the service of others. Mr. Gonzalez, do you mean to suggest that people who volunteer to serve their country in the military are Rambos and if they are killed, they get what they deserve?
I understand about freedom of the press, but an uneducated ape that has not researched his facts should not be given column inches. Has Mr. Gonzalez done any research into Mr. Tillman, or has he even inquired about what it is like to serve on a military front line? Instead, he chooses display his ignorance in a public forum.
I sincerely hope for Mr. Gonzalez's sake that his research skills for his coursework are much better than those for his work on your paper!
(End of letter to Daily Collegian)
-- Rob Gresser
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT GRADUATE STUDENT
The Ranger Creed
"Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession ..." This is the first line of the Ranger Creed; a layout of the ideals that all Rangers strive to maintain. While it is a tragedy that Spc. Tillman gave his life for his country, people seem to forget that he knowingly accepted the possible consequences for his choice. Spc. Tillman did the right thing: he served his country. As ludicrous as it may seem to modern America, only two generations ago countless movie stars and professional athletes answered their nation's call to arms simply because it was the right thing to do. Spc. Tillman is no different; he willingly put himself in harm's way. Though he does deserve remembrance, retiring his jersey should suffice. The renaming of any collegiate monument in honor of Spc. Tillman is too far. There are certainly other ASU alumni who have died serving their country and who lack the name recognition that Spc. Tillman had -- where is their memorial? Wars are not won by one or two recognizable names, but instead by nameless, faceless masses.
-- Spc. Michael Zier
JUSTICE STUDIES SENIOR
Tillman coverage moving
BRAVO to The State Press for the many incredible articles on Pat Tillman. Of all the articles I have read over the last few days, I found very few that were more moving or heartfelt than the articles written by The State Press' own Jeff Hoodzow, Christopher Drexel and the editorial staff. In my time at ASU, I have read many articles in The State Press, some have moved me to laughter, some have moved me to work on the crossword and throw the rest away, but today I was moved to tears. Thank you.
-- Adam Wright
JOURNALISM JUNIOR
