U.S. Army Responds to Intelligentaindigena concerning the death of U.S. Army Cpl. Pat Tillman

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U.S. Army Responds to Intelligentaindigena concerning the death of U.S. Army Cpl. Pat Tillman

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My Blog recieved this communication from the U.S. Army Spokesperson at the Pentagon Paul Boyce. My commentary follows the post. - The Angryindian

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From Intelligentaindigena: U.S. Responds to Intelligentaindigena concerning the death of U.S. Army Cpl. Pat Tillman

Editor’s Note: This came in as a comment in regards to coverage
concerning the issues surrounding the circumstances and ramifications
of Cpl. Pat Tillman’s death in service due to “friendly fire” in
Afghanistan.

Paul Boyce is the public relations spokesperson
for the United States Army at the Pentagon. My comments appear at the
end of this section. – The Angryindian
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Army Acting Quickly to Resolve Remaining Concerns in Cpl. Tillman’s Death

Paul Boyce, U.S. Army

Army
Ranger Pat Tillman died a hero April 22, 2004, in Paktika Province,
Afghanistan. At great personal risk, he acted immediately to save
others by attempting to identify his position when he, another Soldier
and an Afghan Military Forces member came under “friendly fire.” “On
that tragic day, the Tillman family lost a loved one, a son, a brother,
a husband,” Acting Army Secretary Pete Green reminded the American
public March 26 during a nationally televised press conference. On that
April day three years ago, “Cpl. Tillman joined the hallowed ranks of
the now more than 3,000 men and women who have made the ultimate
sacrifice in the war on terror,” Geren said. “Our Army grieves the
death of every one of those Soldiers and shares the grief of every
bereaved family.

On March 26, the Defense Department Inspector
General recommended the Army consider appropriate corrective action
with respect to those Army officials identified in the report. Mr.
Geren immediately directed Gen. William S. Wallace, commanding general
of the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command, to review the
DoD IG report and take appropriate action with regard to the Army
officers identified. Gen. Wallace, a four-star general officer and
combat veteran, has at his disposal a full range of investigative and
disciplinary options. An intial progress report should reach the Army
leadership later this month.

“We have investigated, taken
corrective action and will continue to hold ourselves as an Army
accountable not only to the Tillman family, but to every Army family,”
Army Vice Chief of Stall Richard Cody said during the same Pentagon
press conference.

“We as an Army failed in our duty to the
Tillman family, the duty we owe to all families of our fallen soldiers:
give them the truth, the best we know it, as fast as we can,” Mr. Geren
explained. Timely and accurate family notigication is a duty based on
core Army values. As an Army, we already have incorporated lessons
learned from this tragic event and from other casualties over the past
three years. “our failure in fulfilling this duty brought discredit to
the Army and compounded the grief suffered by the Tillman family, Geren
said. “We pledge to do better.”

Very respectfully,
Paul Boyce
U.S. Army, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

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Intelligentaindigena
does acknowledge and appreciate that the U.S. Army is finally taking an
interest in the case of Cpl. Pat Tillman and hopefully there will
finally be some light shed on how such a thing could happen in a modern
military. It is the policy of this blog that while we abhor all
military aggression except in cases of national or citizen defense, we
hold that those who do serve should be regarded with whatever support
they need to return to civilian life with dignity.

Cpl. Pat
Tillman along with Pvt. Lori Piestewa never got their chance to come
home to their families and put the violence behind them. Both were
killed while serving in the American military for the material welfare
of American business interests eager to incorporate Western Asian oil
territories for their own benefit.

With Halliburton moving to
Dubai, neo-conservative newspeak that asserts that opposition to the
vague U.S. “War on Terror” is aiding the enemy is war-hawking jest at
best and genocide in the name of Pax Americana at worst. Despite the
behind the scenes particulars, every individual serving in the American
military deserves due respect for their service to the country. And the
way Cpl. Pat Tillman’s case was handled is an undeniable stain upon
this nation’s military and political leadership.

With all
respect to Mr. Boyce, his communication says nothing about the
propaganda campaign that ensued only days after his passing vouching
for his bravery under enemy fire against the Taliban. This is not what
happened and his family, along with the American people, were duped
into believing a purely false account of his last moments.

I abhor war. I abhor adding insult to dishonour even more. And so do many others who read the American news media in search of a way to make the world stop solving it’s issues through violence and genocide in the name of nationalism and profits.

Bottom line: Cpl. Pat Tillman like Pvt.
Lori Piestewa deserves better. And so do we if the Bush administration
expects us to give them our children to use as pawns in capitalistic
adventures at home and abroad.