Prior to September 11, 2001, Pat Tillman had been a star football player at Arizona State, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, and a promising NFL player as a safety for the Arizona Cardinals.  But following the attacks on the United States that still reverberate in this nation today, Pat put all of that on hold to enlist as a Ranger in the U.S. Army and serve his country.

On April 22, 2004 Pat was killed in Afghanistan in what the Bush Administration and the Pentagon initially portrayed as an ambush by the enemy, in which Pat was shot in the head while getting out of a vehicle.  Twelve days later, at Pat’s memorial service, his family was told he was killed running up a hill in pursuit of the enemy.  For his courageous actions he was awarded a Silver Star.  A month and two days after his death, the family learned Pat had been shot three times in the head by his own troops in a “friendly fire” incident.  Seven months after Pat’s death, the Tillman’s requested an investigation.  All they wanted to know was the truth behind their son’s death.

In the course of three and a half years, there have been six investigations, several inquiries, and two Congressional hearings, many launched largely due to the family’s insistence. However, what really happened remains murky and fraught with contradictions.  The Tillmans, and other families of fallen soldiers, are still waiting for the truth to come out.

Mary Tillman’s Boots on the Ground Before Dusk is a chronicle of the family’s effort to learn the true circumstances of Pat’s death.  Interwoven throughout are stories of Pat growing up and memories of him as a loving son, brother, husband, friend, and teammate.  Mary takes you through the harrowing bureaucracy, red-tape, and cover-ups the family has encountered.  And now she brings her story to the Santa Monica Public Library for a special author event.

This will be a ticketed event.  Admission is free.   Tickets will be distributed one hour prior to event.  No reserved seating is available, and guests must be on hand to receive an Auditorium ticket.  Seating is first come, first served.   

The Santa Monica Public Library is wheelchair accessible. For special disabled services, call Library Administration at (310) 458-8606 at least one week prior to event.