April 8 marks what would have been Chris Kyle’s 40th birthday. Who is Chris Kyle? Chris was a Navy SEAL sniper who did 4 tours in Iraq and was there in Iraq from the beginning of that conflict. He was the most lethal sniper in American history with 160 confirmed kills. He was awarded 2 Silver Stars, 5 Bronze Stars for valor, among other commendations. He was dubbed the “Devil of Ramadi” by Iraqi insurgents. He was shot twice and involved with six IED attacks. Chris also wrote a best selling book titled “American Sniper”. He co-founded Craft International, a consulting and training firm that has trained military, law enforcement, and first responders in security solutions. He was a father and husband and cared deeply for those who served in the military, specifically “his boys” that he protected. He gave back to veterans and charity.
Chris and a friend were murdered by a fellow veteran who they were trying to help in 2013.
Chris Kyle was born in Odessa, Texas and received his first gun from his father when he was 8. He was an avid hunter and bronc rider until he was injured. After his arm healed he tried to enlist in the Marines but was turned down because of his injury. A Navy recruiter told him about the SEALS and he had a chance to go to BUDS/S (Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL school after he joined the Navy in 1999. He was assigned to SEAL Team 3, Sniper element. He served in many major battles in the Iraq war. In 2008 outside Sadr City, Iraq he made his longest successful shot at a range of 2,100 yards.
He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 2009 and moved to Texas with his family.
Chris once said “If you hate war, that’s fine. But you should support the troops. They don’t get to pick where they’re deployed. They just gave the American people a blank check for anything up to and including the value of their lives, and the least everyone else can do is be thankful. “
He was a true patriot who put his life on the line for this country. When asked if he regretted any of his kills, which were not always men, he said: “I regret the people I couldn’t kill before they got my boys.” He referred to the men and women he served with, from all branches of the military as “my boys”. He said he didn’t enjoy killing, but he did like protecting Americans and allies and civilians. “You don’t think of the people you kill as people,” he said. “They’re just targets. You can’t think of them as people with families and jobs. They rule by putting terror in the hearts of innocent people. The things they would do, the beheadings, dragging Americans through the streets alive, the things they would do to little boys and women just to keep them terrified and quiet. That part is easy. I definitely don’t have any regrets about that.”
He wasn’t perfect, but Chris Kyle was trying to be a good man. He was trying to be a good husband and Father. He was trying to be the hero many thought he already was.
For some reason, those who serve in the military are a little different. Not better than anyone else, just different. There is an understanding of one vet to another. That deepens with combat. Chris Kyle was a vet we can all look to for strength. His wife and children have this same strength. On Tuesday, April 8, remember, if only for a moment, Chris Kyle and his sacrifice and dedication to this great country and to all of us. We miss you Chris!
Semper Paratus
Burn
No comments:
Post a Comment