Deciding to make a difference, Rory Fanning travels foot by foot to make sure people don't forget about Pat Tillman. Setting out from Virginia Beach, Va. a few months ago, Fanning is walking nearly 3,000 miles to the California Coast in hopes of raising 3.6 million dollars for the Pat Tillman Foundation. That equates to the value of the NFL contract Tillman gave up to follow his heart into the Army. "There is a big hole in people's hearts as a result of the way things ended (for Pat) and they are happy that people like me are keeping his memory alive."
Like Tillman, Fanning, 31, joined the Army following the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington on 9/11. Both served in the 2nd Ranger Battalion. For six months prior to his death, Fanning worked along side Tillman. Pat's character and integrity quickly made an impact on him.
Fanning described himself like every other Ranger headed for the bars. On one such occasion, he came across Pat and his brother exchanging papers in a coffee shop, "Each of them had written a 7-page paper on a topic I don't remember now. They grew up without TV as kids, so for fun they wrote papers and exchanged them on any topic you can imagine for fun on a Friday night."
"Conversations with him were deep and full," notes Fanning. "When I talked to him about a topic he's read and knew more about than I did, he stopped what he was doing, he focused on what I had to say, and he wasn't trying to interrupt me. Leadership is not about having a million dollar smile and telling people what they want to hear. It's listening and leading by example."
Tillman's legacy of impact stretches beyond Fanning to Jen Welter, an All-Pro Linebacker for the Dallas Diamonds women's professional football team. Welter met up with Fanning as he made his way through the metroplex. As they walked, Fanning shared Tillman's passion for service and impact. Inspired by what she heard, Welter decided to make a change in her own, "Fanning is giving of himself to honor Pat. And, in my own small way, I hope by wearing #40, Pat's number, I can help Fanning's goal of impacting people through selfless leadership."
Welter has worn #47 since she started playing football 8 years ago. After hearing more about Tillman and some similarities in their statue and playing ability, Welter decided she would let go of her own ego attachment to #47 and begin wearing #40 to honor the cause of leadership through serving.
As the two walked, Welter also learned of the challenges facing Fanning as he moves across the country. While he carries essentials in his 25 pound backpack, finding a place to shower, shave, and change proves difficult. The Diamonds Linebacker who trains for Snap Fitness reached into her own bag and pulled out a keycard for Fanning, "I was struck by the realization of the simple things many of us take for granted like a warm shower. We talked about possible solutions. I gave him my 24-7 access keycard to clubs across America. So, I took action and later asked for forgiveness. Thankfully, they were very supportive and have come on board as a partner," notes Welter.
Encouraging people to step out of their comfort zone, Fanning is asking people to use their freedom to pursue a cause beyond self. "That's what Pat did," said Fanning. The Pat Tillman Foundation ensures Tillman's legacy of leadership and civic action in younger generations through specific programs and scholarships.
Fanning now makes his way to Lubbock, Texas where he will speak to young people at Texas Tech University. "I truly hope other people will hear of Rory's example of selfless leadership and support him by either walking with him, buying him a meal, giving him a roof to sleep under, and/ or making a donation," says Welter. "He is a refreshing person who literally is trying to make a positive impact, one step at a time."
Anne 'Kip' Watson
February 10, 2009
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