Collinwood Resident is Awarded Pat Tillman Scholarship

The Pat Tillman story is certainly a compelling saga.  During the prime of his career as an NFL linebacker he retired to enlist in the US Army in 2002, in the Army Ranger program. Deeply affected by the events of 9/11 he felt very strongly about  doing his part in the US war on terror, even though he was at some odds with the Iraq war and possibly being used for propaganda purposes. Tragically, he was killed in action in 2004, a victim of friendly fire.

The Pat Tillman Foundation was formed to honor his legacy. One of the foundation's activities is the Tillman Military Scholars Program.

Kevin Gallagher, a Collinwood resident, was recently named as a Tillman Military Scholar, 1 out of a class of 60 nationwide.

The Tillman Military Scholars program honors student veterans who share the traits of Pat Tillman: Excelling academically and giving back to community. Tillman graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University, in just 3-1/2 years, while playing football.

Student veteran candidates apply for the program by writing 3 in-depth essays, and 2 follow-up essays. (Perhaps the Observer can recruit Kevin ?) The essay's covered topics like: How does your career plan benefit the commuinity, the greater good.. Over 1000 peple applied for this most recent class of 60.

Kevin served in the US Navy from 2004-2008. He was stationed in Japan and served on the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk, first as a plane captain and then in aviation ordnance. Plane captains do pre and post flight inspections of aircraft, and perform the hand signal communication with the jet crew.

Kevin is entering graduate school at Cleveland State, where he will be pursuing a masters degree in Global Political Interactions - "A degree where business meets politics" says Kevin. Kevin is currently carrying a 3.5 grade average and is the president of the CSU chapter of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. Sigma Tau Gamma was founded by 17 student veterans following World War I. Along with his fraternity work Kevin serves his community in several ways: the Greater Cleveland volunteers, Coit Road Farmers Market, Susan B. Komen foundation, and the Pat Tillman foundation

He was well traveled, even prior to his Naval service , where he saw 12 countries in the Pacific rim.  He was born and lived in Ireland until the age of 5,then off to England for a year. His family moved to the United States where he lived until age 12, and then returned to county Limerick Ireland at 13, and back to the US at age 17. Life in the Navy is long periods at sea and  was difficult at times, but a strong comraderie is a lingering memory of Kevin's . "The ocean is a whole different world, the sea life is fascinating" according to Kevin.

It sure seems Pat Tillman would agree when Kevin says: "I feel if people are in a position to help others that are deserving, than they have an obligation to do so."

Authors note: Coincidentally Kevin is my next door neighbor, we share the same last name and a property border, but are not related.