An American Hero

I was watching The Daily Show with Jon Stewart the other night, and in between Stewerts satirical cracks at contemporary politics, author Jon Krakauer came on to talk about his new book about Pat Tillman. Pat Tillman’s story is truly tragic, but I thought about how his story would be a perfect transition from 9/11 to gender issues. Tillman was a football player, a soldier, and a husband. He was on his way to superstardom, but during the aftermath of 9/11 he joined the United States Army to defend his country. He was, at this time, a mans man, and even thought of as a bit of a meat head. After his death however, new information came out. Tillman was extremely well read. He had read books including the Bible, Koran and Book of Mormon, as well as authors such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. He also kept a diary in which he talked about his disappointment with the war in Iraq, which he considered illegal. His disappointment however, would not have stopped him from fighting because he was loyal to his country.
Although his persona said otherwise, Tillman transcended gender stereotypes. He was strong, brave, and loyal. While at the same time well read, emotional, and insightful. Tillman is a person whom all Americans can look up to as a hero, and should be forever remembered as a great man who proved to people that we do not have to be held down by gender norms, but should expand their horizons and do what they want to do.