Further, ESPN.com has examined more than 2,000 pages of documents that include investigative findings and maps - documents the Army made available only to members of the Tillman family, which has shared them with a select number of media outlets. ", In retrospect, White wonders whether Army officials were covering for themselves by not coming forward with the real story, or even the suspicion, of friendly fire. In the 21st century, it's not just urns and gravestones anymore. Whether it was scoring a home run in a Little League baseball game or getting a bursary for a university, he delighted in our successes. Richard Tillman appeared on Real Time With Bill Maher on September 24, 2010. We appreciate more than we can say that youve come to help his family through this difficult time. Samantha and I met quite by accident. Facebook. And so White told the Rose Garden crowd and the television audience that Pat Tillman had been awarded a Purple Heart for being wounded in combat and that Tillman had been promoted posthumously from specialist to corporal. Menu. View all categories; Even if your speech doesnt go perfectly, people wont mind. His playing days behind him, Pat Tillman tried to avoid special treatment while in the Army. Extreme Record Collecting: Confessions of an analog vinyl snob, A long, rambling blog post about my Nico obsession (+ some astonishing, seldom seen TV performances). Pat Tillman will always be remembered and honored in our country.". But you may have had a harder time finding a comprehensive guide on writing opening remarks. One of my favorite memories of David is the one-and-only time my mother asked him to water her indoor plants. He was a 1960 graduate of City College and spent most of his career working for AT&T, retiring as a manager. A.A. While mortally wounded, his audacious leadership and courageous example under fire inspired his men to fight with great risk to their own personal safety, resulting in the enemy's withdrawal and his platoon's safe passage from the ambush kill zone.". If Pat Tillman were still alive today, would he be wearing a Silver Star? Works at Civil Engineering Firm. FRIDAY, PART 3: The challenge to keep Tillman's legacy alive, and real. "Oh, my goodness, that is a huge slap in the face to real Silver Star recipients," retired Air Force Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski, an outspoken critic of the Bush administration's influence on the Pentagon and military intelligence, told ESPN.com. He was always interested in what was going on in our lives and was extraordinarily proud of our achievements. By then, the Army's top brass and most of the Rangers who had been in the battle already knew Tillman had been killed by his own men, but no one had told Tillman's family or an American public watching along with the crowd in the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden. The Army subsequently requested the Department of Defense Inspector General's Office to review the case. forms. Turns out, though, it was those "brothers" who had killed Tillman and a friendly Afghan fighter and injured two other Rangers. In another transcript obtained by ESPN.com, an unidentified high-ranking Army officer who claimed credit for writing the Silver Star citation said he learned of the possibility of fratricide on the morning of April 25. Even as a baby, she showed an exceptional amount of determination. ', "Once I met these guys face-to-face [before the San Jose memorial service], I said, 'Hey, I hope you guys aren't too upset about a Navy guy probably doing something the Army would be proud to do.' But you may have had a harder time finding a comprehensive guide on writing opening remarks. She graduated from McKinley High School in 1950 and attended Indiana University. Finally, dont use a funeral speech as an opportunity to settle old scores or tell others about unfinished business between yourself and the deceased. She took her role as a mother seriously and did an amazing job of raising them to be the adults they are today. And at many funerals someone will deliver a eulogy thats usually between three and five minutes long. We also may earn commission from purchases made through affiliate links. That may make him sound like he was distant, but nothing could be further from the truth. Menu. We'll help you get your affairs in order and make sure nothing is left out. It requires some forethought and planning. Losing my sister is so heartbreaking. Critical events debriefer For 18 years he was a monthly columnist for Scientific American. "It is just the way the [Army] investigation happened," White told ESPN.com. Part of HuffPost News. He sacrificed so much for his country, and then the government turns around and uses him for propaganda. Tip:Speaking at a funeral is just one of the many challenges you can face when someone you love dies. They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel. "And what I was told was that there wasn't an impact. April 22, 2022. Twitter. This will make them feel less like an audience, and more like they are part of a meaningful occasion. So they told me their version at the time of what happened, which is the heroic tale that they initially came out with. This link will open in a new window. . Uthault also was shot on April 22, 2004, and the platoon leader now calls coping with the aftermath of the incident "the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with.". On a parallel path, Patrick K. Tillman, Pat's father and a San Jose attorney, sent an angry letter in April 2005 to Brig. Saying goodbye to someone as young as Remy is even more challenging. Youre worm dirt. But I will treasure the years I had with her in my heart for the rest of my life. There are typically clues to this in the funeral announcement. Here are some examples of a funeral speech that celebrates the deceaseds life but at the same time expresses the grief of the speaker. Cake values integrity and transparency. The thing that made me fall in love with Stephen was his sense of humor. Soif youre an atheist it means that youre not going to buy into the belief that deatheven a tragic, unnecessary, and friendly-fire deathwill somehow be made acceptable by the belief that all will be made right in heaven where all the good Conservative Christian soldiers will meet up once again. A funeral speech is difficult to deliver if youre feeling over-emotional. You want to make sure everyone feels as though they have been warmly welcomed to join in and mourn together. There were crushes and boyfriends that caused heartache and heartbreak. We, her children, were her pride and joy; she regarded us as the greatest accomplishment of her life. The mission of the Media Research Center is to document and combat the falsehoods and censorship of the news media, entertainment media and Big Tech in order to defend and preserve America's founding principles and Judeo-Christian values. Since youre setting the tone for the rest of the service, its a good idea to get some feedback on your remarks once youve written your remarks. Echovita offers a solidarity program that gives back the funds generated to families. Funeral Service will be Live-Streamed on Saturday July 2, 2022 - 2:00 PM EST. And I couldnt stay angry with her. There is no photo or video of Richard Tillman.Be the first to share a memory to pay tribute. She told me that she knew people would be sad, and that was okay. "Our family is reeling from her sudden and unexpected passing. The Army began crafting Tillman's Silver Star application in the days just after his death; and according to transcripts of investigation witness statements, top Army officials already suspected fratricide when they wrote it. "I wanted to have an idea of what happened. He could have stayed in a protective position. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Pat Tillman was an atheist. Army records show the Silver Star recommendation was submitted April 27, before the investigation was completed, and signed two days later by Les Brownlee, acting Secretary of the Army. My mother was the heart of our home, the center of our universe, and the greatest example of unconditional love we couldve hoped to have. Tillman was an NFL star who gave up his promising and lucrative career to join the Army in 2002, just months after the September 11 attacks. According to Army regulations, the Silver Star is to be awarded for "gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States. Documents given to the Tillman family and obtained by ESPN.com show that by the time the memorial service began, Kensinger already had been told friendly fire was suspected in Tillman's death. The White House and Rumsfeld's office both declined ESPN.com's requests to address the Tillman issue. What our family lacked in money, my mother more than made up for with love. In the weeks before she passed away, we talked a lot about what was waiting for her after she left the earthly plane. passionately condemned an army investigator. That meant that she had very little time to herself. Anytime shed open those beautiful big brown eyes of hers, silently reminding me that she was my flesh and blood, I couldnt stay angry with her. If you want to relate a situation or event that occurred in the deceaseds life, do so tastefully. It's like, 'Oh my God, who did we just [kill]? Eight Carefully Crafted Emails for Your Last Day at Work. She had such an infectious zest for life that she could always find the humor or a silver lining of any situation, regardless of the gravity. He was the only one who understood my hurt and confusion when our parents divorced. Jade Lane was less than 100 yards from Pat Tillman when both U.S. soldiers were shot by friendly fire in Afghanistan on April 22, 2004. I wish he didn't have so much character, and he would've shot his own guys.". Later in the film there is a radio interview presented with Colonel Ralph Kauzlarich, who was the Regimental Executive Officer at Forward Operating Base Salerno on Khost, Afghanistan, under which Tillman was serving at the time of his death, and who led the military investigation into Pats death. Funeral opening remarks are almost akin to a funeral thank you speech. Its a very disturbing film to watchinfuriating in factand Jon Krakauers book, Where Men Win Glory, presents the story in excruciating detail in a compelling narrative. Hes fucking dead, Oliver Reed as a prototype Alex from A Clockwork Orange in These are the Damned, I Have No Desire To Be Nico: Post-Punks Muse Of Manchester, Linder Sterling. Lt. Gen. Philip Kensinger Jr., shown awarding a Silver Star, knew Pat Tillman died from friendly fire while attending Tillman's memorial. ', "About [three weeks after the memorial service] is when Kevin [Tillman, Pat's brother] was at work and found out, hey, this thing was fratricide. Sign up for our NB Daily newsletter to receive the latest news. Previously on DM: The Tillman Story.. This can be even more challenging in a situation where heightened emotion is involved. Some are religious and some are secular. According to Spc. Post-planning tip: If you are the executor for a deceased loved one, the funeral isn't the only thing you have to handle. Copyright 2023 Michael Shermer | All Rights Reserved | 101 3938 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93105-3114 | 1-805-576-9396, Giving the Devil His Due: Reflections of a Scientific Humanist, Learn how Akismet processes your comment data. In writing your speech, its important to demonstrate the personal relationship you shared with the deceased. After his death the U.S. government implemented a publicity campaign to use Tillmans death as a tool to promote the war as a cause so worthy that even a highly-paid NFL star believed it to be worth the sacrifice. If youre an atheist and you dont believe in anything, if you die what is there to go to? DenaliMutt 25 subscribers Subscribe 804 142K views 12 years ago Richard Tillman at funeral for his brother Pat. I thought your rank deserved it and anticipated something different from the new and improved investigation. He is survived by his wife, Ernestine Williams-Tillman; sister, Earline Tillman; two aunts, Margaret Hall and Mildred Weaver; a host of other relatives and friends. Theyre also in mourning. That doesnt mean that raising us was easy, nor always enjoyable. They [said], 'Absolutely not; we're all on the same team, yada, yada, yada. He was born March 13th, 1927 to Joseph and Hildegard (Herring) Tillman in Toledo, Ohio. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. "With rare exceptions, Silver Stars are not awarded for friendly fire incidents," said Thomas Jones, chief of the Army's freedom of information and privacy act program. For some people, the best send-off is one that they would have loved to attendthemselves: a big party. Legacy invites you to offer condolences and share memories of Richard in the Guest Book below. The MRC is a research and education organization operating subject to our Terms of Use. According to a transcript from the Army's November 2004 investigation, Kauzlarich said he believes it was Tillman's "intent" to take his team, which consisted of an Afghan fighter and a young Ranger soldier, Spc. From the outset, David stood out as an individual. We could never quite figure out what it was, but its lasted a lifetime. But wherever she is, I know that shes looking down on me now with those gorgeous brown eyes and that beautiful smile. Like me, I know you all will continue keeping him in your heart today and always.. Brownlee, who retired from the Army in December 2004, told ESPN.com his signature on the Silver Star certificate was customary. Friends and family members may be asked to give readings of meaningful poems of religious texts. Separately, they made inquiries to the Army and requested help from Capitol Hill, including Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.), a lawmaker from San Jose who recrafted a series of questions posed by Mary Tillman, Pat's mother, and formally asked the Department of Defense to investigate. He presided over family dinners with a quiet dignity that spoke of a patriarch who took that responsibility seriously. See Photos. Ways to honor Richard Tillman's life and legacy. If youre in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist. Be the first to post a memory or condolences. "In just his few short years on this planet, he had such a major impact on everyone whose paths he crossed. Tillman's family has long been upset about the lies told following his death. What the government failed to mention is that Tillman was killed at the hands of his fellow soldiers during a fog of war incident in a steep and narrow slot canyon in which there was much confusion about where enemy fire was originating. Thank you all for joining our family today to remember such a special and selfless individual.. It took us a while to grasp it because, as children, we didnt get it. He was the loving husband of the late Marilyn C. 'Lyn' (DeLooze) Tillman who passed in 2017. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Pat Tillman died more than six years ago in Afghanistan, but his death remains a flash point to this day. Samantha was an amazing woman. I summarized it and read it back. Her lips and teeth were full of lipstick, and there was mascara everywhere. And so, I am not drawing any conclusions yet. Thats an easy way to make your remarks feel more personalized. Richards take on religion is particularly passionate. "Ultimately, what I would want to have happen is just the truth," said Richard Tillman, Pat's youngest brother, in an interview with ESPN.com. Chicago Sun-Times. Ill be honest, we sometimes went for long periods without talking, which I regret. Even if you put us on either side of a big room full of people, Jennifer and I would always find our way back to each other immediately. Here are some more tips for planning and attending a Zoom funeral. William Saunders acknowledged providing the information needed for Tillman's recommendation, stating "we became aware that his death was a possible fratricide" before its submission. Born in Balt., MD, Richard was the son of the late Henry Richard and Edna (Little) Tillman Maize. Pat's a (EXPLETIVE DELETED) champion. As the actor Richard Tillman - brother of former Army Ranger and former NFL player Pat Tillman - appeared as a guest on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher on Friday promoting the film "The Tillman Story" about his brother's death in Afghanistan, host Maher played a clip from Pat Tillman's funeral in which Richard Tillman mocked the religious references made at the funeral by speakers . He was so proud to be a father and a wonderfully hands-on partner. Whenever Id get angry or upset with him for whatever reason Id always wind up laughing because he could always make me see the funny side of it. Repetition like this can help you feel more confident no matter how sad or scared you might be. But it's unclear whether he did anything more courageous than what any of the other Rangers who were positioned along the southeastern Afghanistan ridgeline near the border with Pakistan did. "That degrades the award. Copyright 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved. "Once we were on vacation in a city wed never been to, and we still managed to run into someone Marian knew. She was born July 4, 1932 daughter of the late Walter and Edith (Snell) Jennings. After heavy prodding from Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Brownlee ordered what would be the Army's second official investigation of Tillman's death, but he stepped down from his post before Brig. Born in Balt., MD, Richard was the son of the late Henry Richard and Edna (Little) Tillman Maize. "It has already been well established that very few things happen without someone high up [in the administration] knowing about it, whether you are talking about 9/11 or Hurricane Katrina or whatever," Kucinich, a critic of the Bush administration, said in an interview with ESPN.com. A funeral is an emotional occasion and delivering a speech, unprepared, in front of the congregation is a recipe for disaster = one that will not soon be forgiven. He always made me laugh, even when all I wanted to do was cry. His new book is Giving the Devil His Due: Reflections of a Scientific Humanist. LinkedIn. It made things interesting. Expand the Memories and Condolences form. Something drew us to each other though. Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. During the interview he discusses the military cover-up and murder conspiracy theories revolving around his brother Pats death. It only takes 5 minutes. Thats why, when he did have something to say, we listened. He's fucking dead' Richard Tillman appeared on Real Time With Bill Maher on September 24, 2010. The most recent obituary and service information is available at the Kuiper Funeral Home website. One of my fondest memories of my mother is watching her sit down and relax after a long day. And in the days and months after Tillman's death, his name was kept alive by President Bush. Send simple, comforting meals with Home Chef. Privacy Policy. He let me cry on his shoulder when I went through my first break-up. O. W. Wiley Mortuary ~ Marie's Chapel 1290 Pinemont Dr, Houston, TX 77018, Houston Memorial Gardens 2426 Cullen Blvd, Pearland, TX 77581. David Kessler's top 4 tips for dealing with holiday grief. Work with the person planning the funeral, or with someone who is helping them with logistics. The Department of Defense Inspector General's Office is an independent body that operates much like the internal affairs division in a police department. My sister Marian has always been a gregarious and outgoing person. Ive learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. My cousin Rebecca was one of those people who always made people feel loved and welcomed. Hes fucking dead. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 'Cause he knew that they were shooting at him. Legacy.com reports daily on death announcements in local communities nationwide. Thanks to him, I developed analytical skills that I continue to use today. The most important thing to remember is to keep the tone appropriate for the occasion. In the haste and the emotion of the moment, White didn't take note of the person on the phone who fed him the details. "At the end of the day, Pat deserves the truth. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. All Rights Reserved. She was always willing to step up and help people in need. Like our page to stay informed about passing of a loved one in Richmond, Virginia on facebook. Hed have given anyone the shirt off his back. Richard Tillman on his brother Pats death: Hes not with God. As we grew older, I began to see David for what he truly was. This link will open in a new window. He picked them up when they fell or failed. Today, we gather together to remember Remy and the light he brought into our lives. If she didnt understand something, shed work at it until she did. That was my mother in a nutshell. According to a transcript of Kensinger's interview in November 2004, during an Army investigation, he was asked whether he'd made a conscious decision to withhold that information from the Tillman family. "So there is a point at which there has to be accountability here. Sometimes it helps to remove the word funeral from the equation and think of it in more general terms. Part 1 You had a special man in your midst, and Im cant imagine the depth of loss you must feel. Im proud to have called this incredibly special man my brother. Maya Angelou once wrote. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 4, 2008 at the Reedy Baptist Church, 15076 Dry Bridge Rd., Ruther Glen, Va. 22546 fro The mission of the Media Research Center is to document and combat the falsehoods and censorship of the news media, entertainment media and Big Tech in order to defend and preserve America's founding principles and Judeo-Christian values. At his funeral his younger brother Richard got up to speak, visibly upset, noticeably inebriated, and with beer in hand proceeded to thank everyone for their warm sentiments, but upbraided those like Maria Shriver and Senator John McCain who made religious overtones in their sentiments, noting about his brother Pat: Hes not with God, hes fucking dead. And Im sure there were times he wished I wasnt his sister. "Or if posthumous, it's where you sacrificed yourself in order to save a whole unit. I couldnt have asked for a better father for my children. How inconvenient. But as we grew up, we began to understand his wit and laugh at the things he said. If youre including a quote to get started, make sure its something you think they would have connected with. Be open and sincere about what their presence means for you. Chicago Sun-Times Homepage. Ill never forget the look on my mothers face and the mischievous grin on Davids. Janet was an exemplary student. Instagram. W. Wiley Mortuary. For example, generally people know ahead of time if theyre going to a celebration of life service as opposed to a more traditional funeral. Its pretty hard to get your head around that., Host: So you suspect thats probably the reason this thing [the familys persistence in getting to the bottom of Pats death] is running on., Kauzlarich: I think so. The lives of our children and their achievements gave Stephen an enormous amount of satisfaction. The two of them have pored over the documents given the Tillman family by the Army, weighing explanations and possibilities and talking about the inconsistencies in the Army's version of events. In his witness statement, Capt. Public speaking is a real challenge for many people. Now that weve seen some examples of opening remarks, lets break down how to write them. Those are the words Steve White used to describe how Pat Tillman died. ", Asked specifically whether that is action worthy of a Silver Star, Brownlee said yes. When you sit down to decide what youre going to say in your eulogy speech, there are a few factors you need to take into consideration. "I wish he would have been like, you guys are fucking clowns, and just lit 'em up," he added. Gen. Jones, and copied the Senate Armed Services Committee, in which he criticized the information in briefings Jones had given him. My father was a quiet man. tax-deductible. He was just the messenger. asked Kucinich, who ran a short-lived campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004. I dont know where to begin to tell you about the enormous gaping hole that Samanthas passing has left in my life. Here we share some examples: Thessalonians 4:13 reads, Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope., "Anyone who knew my mother quickly learned that she was a woman of deep and abiding faith. Find the obituary of Richard Tillman (1954 - 2020) from Houston, TX. Any information you provide to Cake, and all communications between you and Cake, This link will open in a new window. His passion for teaching English was contagious. Id like to start by offering Johns family my sincerest condolences. "So -- and that is how he was killed. As long as you speak from the heart, theyll connect with you. Mike Fish is an investigative reporter for ESPN.com. ", Friday night on "Real Time with Bill Maher," Tillman's brother Richard discussed his brother's death at length. I took those lessons to heart. Are you saying the main speech or one of several shorter speeches? Hes not religious so, thanks for your thoughts, but hes fucking dead.. Sometimes the hardest part is just getting started. White, it turns out, was telling it like it wasn't. You should also make sure to test your audio and visual setup to make sure everything works seamlessly. We survived high school together. She never met a stranger: everyone was always immediately a potential new friend. "And the tone of the memorial service had nothing to do with fratricide. I won't act so hypocritically if we meet again." There are many speaking roles available at funerals. As per Dads request, today will not be a traditional funeral. Officer at forward operating base Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. December 1, 1954 - It was a domestic campaign to make Tillman out to be a war hero, a great sacrificing American, fighting for the liberty and freedom of the Afghan people. Lives in Pensacola, Florida. Pats a fucking champion and he always will be. Our post-loss checklistcan help you face and overcome those challenges, whether they're legal, financial, or personal. But sitting down to write down what you want to say may feel overwhelming. Echovita Inc is a registered trademark. In an effort to shed light on how Tillman died and whether there was an attempt to use his good name and valor for political purposes, ESPN.com has interviewed more than 50 Army officials, politicians, and medical and military experts, plus nine of the 35 Rangers who were engaged in the firefight. Johns work ethic influenced me greatly. Theres not a whole lot of trust in the system or faith in the system.. Many users would be better served consulting an attorney than using a do-it-yourself online He can be reached at michaeljfish@gmail.com. During a separate interview with investigators, Saunders, the company commander, said when he arrived at the scene of the battle early on the morning after Tillman died, he was told fratricide was suspected. Richard Tillman's statement is probably the most true thing said about Pat at that funeral and he definitely represented his brother's memory and legacy the way it should be, the REAL Pat Tillman. More than two years later, the Army continues to keep classified the supporting documentation and recommendations for Tillman's Silver Star. They haven't told the truth from the beginning.". For more information, please see our We are here today to honor a very special person - my dad. Nina Hagens Nunsexmonkrock: Greatest (and weirdest) unsung masterpiece of the postpunk era? But when I look back on the life weve shared, it was more than worth it. Finally, his voice cracking with emotion, White painted the battlefield picture with brushstrokes that made Tillman's action so valorous as to be worthy of a Silver Star, one of the Army's most distinguished awards. Despite the fact that she was ill, and we knew her passing was inevitable, it has still come as a shock to us as a family. Lives in Fort Worth, Texas. We use ads to keep our content free for you. Its necessary that you give the congregation an insight into the persons life as it related to your own. If you're hosting the funeral, you can work with GatheringUs to create a detailed itinerary that you'll follow on the day. Authorize the publication of the original written obituary with the accompanying photo. Tillman died on the scene after being struck by three shots to the head. He did not march to the beat of societys drum. She married Richard Tillman October 21, 1951. "And I would be more than surprised if this isn't a discussion that reached the president himself, considering the fact that he himself expressed regrets. Richard Tillman on his brother Pat's death: 'He's not with God.