He saw his service as an honor and a duty. They saw his sacrifice as a PR opportunity.

Pat Tillman was a loyal guy. Once he got into the NFL, he turned down a multi-million contract to stay with the team that originally signed him, the Cardinals. Then, after 9/11, he left Cardinals to enlist in the U.S. Army. Not only was that a most definite pay cut, he knew he would be missing his highest money-making years as a football player to serve his country when his country needed him.

He was killed in Afghanistan early on, back in 2004. He was only 27.

Tillman's funeral was a well-attended media event. Maria Shriver, representing her husband, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, was one of the speakers. Pat Tillman received the hero's send off he richly deserved.

At first the public, and worst of all, his family, were told he was killed in battle and was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. That was a conscious lie. Generals knew he was killed, at close range, by friendly fire. His body armor and uniform were burned to destroy evidence of the horrible accident.

This administration was running the war badly and could not endure the shame of letting us know that their poster boy, Pat Tillman, had been killed by one of his own. So they lied. Just another lie that accompanied the lead up to and execution of this war.

Now, all these years later, hearings are being held and all those who loved Pat Tillman are finally learning the truth.

Pat Tillman was a hero the moment he enlisted. The details of his death do not diminish his intent to serve or the extent of his family's sacrifice. He was a patriot who deserves to be honored, and remember honestly, despite the dishonorable and dishonest behavior surrounding his death.