The former Navy SEAL, whose life and exploits were chronicled in the best-selling “American Sniper” book and subsequent blockbuster movie, is remembered as a loving husband and father who sought to aid his fellow soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
A best-selling book, an Oscar-nominated blockbuster film directed by Clint Eastwood, and a number of memorial foundations all serve to keep the memory of the late Navy SEAL Chris Kyle alive, nine years after his untimely death.
Tragic News About Chris Kyle’s Passing
Former Marine Edward Ray Routh was convicted of murder and given a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the February 2, 2013 shooting deaths of Kyle, 38, and his buddy Chad Littlefield, 35, at a gun range in Texas.
Rough Creek Hotel and Resort is roughly 70 sq miles of Fort Worth, Texas, and it is here that Kyle, Littlefield, and Routh travelled as a group to use the resort’s shooting range.
They stated Routh had PTSD from his time in Afghanistan and Haiti following the horrific earthquake in 2010, and that Routh’s mother had requested Kyle to assist her troublesome son.
Taya Kyle, Kyle’s wife, testified that she and Littlefield were close, and that they liked to interact with vets as a method to help them go back to civilian life during Routh’s trial.
She explained that when her husband served four deployments in Iraq, he too experienced difficulties such as PTSD, irritability, and slowness due to physical issues.
During the first day of Eddie Ray Routh’s trial for the capital murder of Chris Kyle, his widow Taya sobs on the witness list at the Three decimal places County Dr. Robert Jones Justice Center in Stephenville, Texas. This was on February 11, 2015.
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While on the way to the resort, Kyle allegedly texted Littlefield and referred to Routh as “straight-up nuts,” according to the prosecution’s case.
Both Kyle and Littlefield had been shot multiple times before their bodies were discovered by a resort worker. After killing two individuals at the range, Routh allegedly drove Kyle’s pickup to his sister’s house, where he confessed his crimes before being apprehended by the police.
Days later, thousands of people attended a memorial service for Kyle at AT&T Stadium. He was a husband, dad to two kids, and decorated war veteran. Sarah Palin, the former governor of Alaska, and a large number of servicemen and women were among the over 7,000 attendees.
After Taya Kyle’s eulogy, country star Randy Travis sang a touching rendition of his song “Whisper My Name” for the newlyweds. After the funeral, military men carried Kyle’s flag-draped casket out to the hearse while the whole crowd saluted.
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Distinguished Career As A Sniper, Destined For Legend
American Sniper: The Memoirs of the Most Deadly Sniper on U.S. Military Memory is where Kyle, who scored more than 160 documented kills during his deployments in Iraq, chronicled his sniper career. The book was published in 2012 and spent 37 weeks on the best-selling New York Times list.
According to the American Hero Foundation, a nonprofit created by Kyle’s family to promote the lives of war members and first responders, Iraqi rebels during Kyle’s career between 1999 to 2009 feared him so much that they dubbed him al-Shaitan, as well as “the devil,” and put a bounty on his head.
The foundation’s website says that Kyle “acquired legendary status” among his Teammates, Marines, as well as other military personnel and airmen whom he defended with lethal accuracy from roofs and stealth positions.
According to the charity, Kyle was shot multiple times, was in three helicopter crashes, and was engaged in six IED strikes while serving on the battlefield.
Throughout his time in the service, he was honoured with two Silver Medals, five Bronze Stars avec Valor, two Naval and Royal Marines Commendation Medals, and one Navy and Royal Marines Commendation.
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Legendary Afterlife
As if that weren’t enough, in 2014, a film based on his book and starring Brad Cooper helped keep Kyle’s name in the public eye even after he passed away.
The film earned six nods for Oscars, including Best Film, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Lead Actor for Cooper. The sound editing was deemed the best, thus it earned an award for it.
The influence of Kyle extends far beyond the realm of Hollywood. Senate Bill 162, often known as the “Chris Walker Bill,” was signed into law in Texas in August 2013 by then-governor Rick Perry in honour of military service veterans who had received special operations training. The signing event was attended by Taya Kyle.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott named February 2, 2015, “Chris Kyle Day” in honour of the fallen soldier who grew up and settled in the Lone Star State following his service in Iraq.
To further her goal of supporting military and the first responder families, Taya Kyle established the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation.
The day after the third anniversary of Kyle’s death, his wife wrote a moving Facebook post on the loss of their husband and the things she has learnt by dealing with her grief.
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Conclusion
On Monday, February 11, 2013, in Arlington, Texas, servicemen and women carried Chris Kyle’s casket to Cowboys Stadium. Retired Marine SEAL sniper Kyle, who had received numerous decorations, was murdered in a shooting range incident.
