SAN JOSE - Sen. John McCain and California First Lady Marie Shriver eulogized Pat Tillman today as a heroic, selfless soldier at a public memorial service for the fallen Army Ranger.

Those closest to him, however, remembered him as a crazy, go-hard-at-life friend who made others laugh, think and feel alive. One of his brothers, Rich, and a brother-in-law, Alex Garwood, saluted Tillman with pints of Guinness, a favorite beer of the slain soldier.
 

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Tillman, a former Cardinals defensive standout killed in combat in Afghanistan about two weeks ago, was a native of San Jose. His family and his wife, Marie, live here.

Hundreds attended the service at San Jose Municipal Rose Garden, a floral park in the heart of the city.

The service, broadcasted live on several Valley stations, was cut short on 12 News, The Republic's sister station, because several of the speakers went unscripted and used profanities in their speeches.

Garwood remembered Tillman as an educated, curious man who read everything from the Economist magazine to the Koran and the communist manifesto - and one who wanted to have deep conversations about various topics with friends.

Others recalled Tillman as a man who loved to joke and loved to laugh even more, often throwing his head back and flailing his arms about like a wild man - with the same abandon he had playing football.

"He was crazy," said Denver Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer.

Plummer, who played with Tillman at Arizona State University and with the Arizona Cardinals, said the saddest part of his friend's death is not seeing the next chapter of Tillman's lfe.

"I was looking forward to seeing what's next, romantic that he is," Plummer said. "We should remember Pat, we should all challenge ourselves. No more, 'I'm gonna do this, I'm gonna do that.' Just do it.

"As Pat would say, 'Get off your ass and do it.' "

Security was tight for the service, which attracted an array of sports stars as well as military officials and friends of Tillman's family. Among those who were expected in attendance were members of the Bidwill family, owners of the Cardinals; Cardinals coach Dennis Green; singer Darius Rucker of the band Hootie and Blowfish, who was scheduled to sing during the memorial; and ESPN talk show host Jim Rome, who served as master of ceremonies at the event.

Tillman, 27, died in an ambush and firefight on April 22 near the village of Sperah in southeast Afghanistan. Two other members of the 75th Ranger Regiment to which he belonged were wounded.

Tillman's family has declined to discuss the former athlete's death, and media were instructed before the memorial Monday not to photograph or talk to the family.

McCain said he "never had the honor of meeting Pat Tillman and I'm the poorer for it."

"Many American families have suffered the same terrible sacrifice that the Tillman family now suffers," the senator said. "The courage and patriotism their loved ones exemplified is as fine and compelling as Pat's, and their loss should grieve us just as much.

"Were he here, I think Pat would insist we cherish their memory and feel their loss no less than his. But it was his uncommon choice of duty to his country over the profession he loved and the riches and other comforts of celebrity, and his humility that make Pat Tillman's life such a welcome lesson in the true meaning of courage and honor."