June 3, 2004

NEWS BRIEFS

U.S. Military investigation reveals Pat Tillman was killed by ‘friendly fire’

U.S. Military officials announced May 29 that hometown football legend Pat Tillman was killed April 22 not by the enemy in Afghanistan but accidentally by fellow American soldiers in a tragic case of what’s commonly called “friendly fire.”

Tillman’s parents, who live in Almaden Valley, have declined to comment about the news, which came a week after the Leland High School graduate and former NFL star had been memorialized in San Jose for what was initially described as a heroic rescue attempt of 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, comrades who had been ambushed in southeastern Afghanistan.

U.S. Army Specialist Pat Tillman was serving with the elite 75th Army Ranger Regiment unit.

During a May 3 memorial service, which gathered nearly 2,000 guests at the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden, family members, friends, former teammates and coaches remembered Tillman as a reluctant hometown hero who traded his football uniform for his combat uniform to defend his country.

In 2002, the 27-year-old Tillman turned down a $3.6 million contract from the pro football Arizona Cardinals, and joined the Army instead.

At the service, Pat Tillman Sr., finally broke the family’s silence and seclusion from the media. He said, “I miss my son . . . and it ain’t getting any better…I don’t know what the Ranger motto is, but I bet you a buck he upheld it.”

Friendly fire is devastating to the battlefield, U.S. Military experts say, adding that while it happens, American troops are carefully trained to avoid such tragedies. A U.S. Army War College study estimated that between 13 and 24 percent of U.S. soldiers killed or wounded in major 20th century conflicts were killed or wounded by fellow Americans in cases of friendly fire.

Leland grad graduates from basic combat training with honors

Army Reserve Pfc. Joseph A. Clarke has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, Clarke studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
Clarke earned distinction as an honor graduate. He is the son of Gordon Clarke of Grass Valley, Calif., and Catherine Buhisan of Blossom Valley and is a 1997 graduate of Leland High School.

An awesome job

In last week’s issue we showed a photo of Leland Fashion Show co-coordinator Jillian Lucas holding a bouquet of flowers at the event. But Lucas was one member of an amazing trio of co-coordinators, consisting of senior Rupa Patel, junior Christine Chang, and herself.  According to Fashion Show model Deena Shakir, “Rupa and Christine did some really grueling behind-the-scenes work—everything from designing the lighting scheme to coordinating practices.  They went days without sleeping more than a few hours a night! The three girls really did an amazing job.”  Although the girls were mentioned in the article, we believe a picture of the three co-coordinators together is a more appropriate way to honor the team who worked extremely hard to make the 2004 fashion show a huge success. The coordinators Rupa Patel, Jillian Lucas and Christine Chang. Good job girls!

Almaden church asks children to share ‘Why I Love America’

Almaden 1st Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is hosting a local speech contest to commemorate the Fourth of July. The event will be held on July 2 at the chapel located at 6625 Camden Avenue.
The contest is open to children ages 10 to 17 who live in Almaden Valley. The competition will be in four age groups: current fifth and sixth grade students, seventh and eighth grade students, ninth and 10th grade students, and 11th and 12h grade students. The topic for the contest is “Why I Love America.”

Cash prizes will be awarded to two winners in each age group and the winners need to be present on July 3 at a morning patriotic assembly and breakfast to present their speech and receive their award. To obtain a copy of the guidelines, contact Nan Hunter 268-3151 with your name, age and address.