Chris Kyle Day Declared By Texas Governor Greg Abbott
Chris Kyle Day was declared by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. February 2 will be used to honor the famed Navy SEAL sharpshooter depicted in American Sniper.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott made the Chris Kyle Day announcement while addressing a group of Lone Star State veterans in Austin. Governor Abbott received a standing ovation from the Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars Convention attendees.
American Sniper Chris Kyle was from the Fort Worth suburb of Midlothian. The acclaimed sniper was 37 when he was murdered at a gun range in North Texas in 2013.
As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Kyle’s suspected killer, Eddie Ray Routh, has requested a change of venue in the upcoming murder trial of the Navy SEAL, portrayed by Bradley Cooper in American Sniper. On February 2, 2013, just four years after Kyle left the military, he and his friend, Chad Littlefield, were allegedly shot and killed by Eddie Ray Routh, a former Marine they were helping to cope with his PTSD.
Eddie Ray Routh has been behind bars since being charged in the murders of Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield. During preliminary trial proceedings in 2013, the judge denied a change of venue in the American Sniper murder trial.
Chris Kyle became a hero to his fellow soldiers with his 160 confirmed kills. The famed American sniper also reportedly garnered a deadly reputation among the Iraqi insurgents.
Today is officially Chris Kyle Day in Texas. I will issue the formal Proclamation from the Governor’s Office at noon. #trot @ChrisKyleFrog
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) February 2, 2015
“I have declared February 2 to be Chris Kyle Day in Texas,” Governor Greg Abbott posted on Twitter. “We honor our military heroes.”
During his Friday speech at a the convention for Texas veterans, Governor Abbott described Chris Kyle as “a man who defended his brothers and sisters in arms on and off the battlefield.”
Chris Kyle attended Tarleton State University in Stephenville after graduating high school in 1992. He ultimately left college after two years of study and became a ranch hand until he joined the Navy in 1999.
Bradley Cooper plays Chris Kyle in the American Sniper movie. The sniper’s wife, Taya Kyle, was more than pleased with Cooper’s depiction of her beloved.
“Bradley did an amazing job and I truly don’t believe there’s anybody who could have done better.”
Chris Kyle completed four tours of duty in Iraq and is considered the deadliest sniper in the history of the United States military.
What do you think of American Sniper and Texas Governor Greg Abbott declaring February 2 as Chris Kyle Day?
[Image via Twitter]
