To the editor:

I felt a great deal of sorrow and grief for ex-Phoenix football Cardinal and soldier Corp. Pat Tillman when he was ambushed and killed in Afghanistan.

I was moved by this as if he was my own son. I cried uncontrollably for several minutes. I am not ashamed of this in any way either. He was a true American patriot and his love for the USA touched my very soul. He gave up the chance to make so much money as a professional football player and joined the Army after the 911 attacks on the United States.

His patriotism and valor make him a true patriot and role model for all of us. His patriotism and sacrifice are the prototype of the type of Americans who made us free. We still are the only truly free nation on earth, thanks to heroes such as Pat Tillman. My oldest son served in the Iraqi War and I served in the Nam 34 years ago.

War is a terrible, horrible experience and even when you come home it still burns inside of you for many years — sometimes forever. Wounds that are not visible are the hardest to heal — things that you have to do, things you have to see, things you don’t want to do and things you don’t want to see.

Some people say the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are not real. Then they should talk to a veteran whom served there, go to a VA hospital and visit. You’ll find a great awakening.

War is war. Our country is not perfect, but show me one better. God bless Patrick Tillman and the love for his country he took to his grave with him.

Mike “Grassroots” Povich

Green Park