N.B. library receives copy of book honoring Pat Tillman
Resident Tom Salva donated autographed copies to the twp.
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER AMATO Township resident Tom Salva has donated copies of "Boots on the Ground By Dusk," written by Mary Tillman about her son Pat who was killed in Afghanistan in 2004, to North Brunswick Township. Salva brought his son Dillon, right, and Chad Tieger to meet Tillman in New York City in May.

NORTH BRUNSWICK — The township public library officially has a copy of "Boots on the Ground by Dusk," a book written by Mary Tillman, whose United States Army Ranger son Pat died from friendly fire while serving in Afghanistan in April 2004.

Tom Salva, a township resident, took his son, Dillon, and friend Chad Tieger to meet Tillman as she made an appearance at a Barnes & Noble in New York City in May. The high school football players were wearing Tillman's Phoenix Cardinals and Arizona State University jerseys, which Salva said particularly touched Tillman.

Salva said he asked an employee at the bookstore if Tillman would personalize one of the six books he purchased, which he was planning on donating to Linwood Middle School, the high school and the township library, and he was told that Tillman was in the back crying because of how honored she felt seeing the sports jerseys.

"I look at what he did. He crosses my mind a lot," Salva said of the reason for going to meet Mrs. Tillman.

Salva said that Pat Tillman was "a guy so selfless he left a $9.5 million contract because he felt he never did enough for his country." He said he admired the fact that Tillman drove to Denver to enlist with his brother, since he was hoping not to be recognized by the press. Salva said the newlywed Tillman did not want any fanfare, and said that if something should happen to him, he did not want to have a military funeral but instead wanted to have his body cremated and his ashes thrown in the ocean.

"Sports are a great thing … but hearing that this guy attained the highest level of the sport, he knew something was more important … so other kids like him could play, so they could have their freedom," Salva said.

He said the players learned about selflessness, but that the experience was also a reality check. Salva said that just this past week, he attended five youth football games from the Pop Warner level up to high school, and that, "I just can't help but think around this time of year that Pat Tillman's mom and dad could be watching him play in the NFL."

He also said he wanted athletes to realize that being a sports hero does not necessarily equal being a real man, because "A real man is someone who just gives."

The book was given a bookplate at the township library by Director Cheryl McBride on Nov. 3 as representatives from the Township Council thanked Salva for his contribution. The book will now be part of the library's circulation.

"We are always looking to find ways to help young people realize the sacrifices people have to make," Mayor Francis "Mac" Womack said.

Contact Jennifer Amato at jamato@gmnews.com.