Navy SEAL Sniper Chris Kyle’s Funeral Procession Is 200 Miles Long
Chris Kyle, the Navy SEAL sniper given the nickname “The Devil of Ramadi” by Iraqi insurgents for recording 160 confirmed kills (the real number is thought to be 255), was slain on February 2 by fellow military veteran Eddie Ray Routh — a man who Kyle was helping recover from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
Today, Kyle’s life is being celebrated in his home state of Texas in grand fashion, with a 200-mile long funeral procession. Texas residents and patriots are lined up along U.S. 287 and Interstate 35E to show support.
From NBC DFW:
North Texans are expected to line the roadways and overpasses to pay their respects to slain ex-Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle along a 200-mile procession from Midlothian to Austin Tuesday morning.
The procession began at about 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Midlothian ISD’s multipurpose stadium at 1800 South 14th Street.
The procession will take U.S. 287 to Interstate 35E to Texas State Cemetery in Austin where Kyle will be laid to rest.
[…]
Kyle has been a long-time Midlothian resident. People are planning to send him off like a hometown hero. Flags are lining the route to the slain former Navy SEAL’s final resting place in Austin.
I’ll close with this quote from an interview Kyle did with Bill O’Reilly, in which O’Reilly asks him about being referred to as a “savage” by some military naysayers.
Bill O’Reilly: “So you were committed to killing these people, because you, in your heart, believed that they deserved to die?”
Chris Kyle: “I wasn’t so much committed to killing them…I’m committed to making sure every service member that was over there, whether American or allie, came home.”
American hero.
Awaiting the casket:
Photos courtesy of @Danny_Vega2
[via NBC DFW]
Image via Daily News
This man so terrified the insurgents that the simple presence of a sniper within a group of soldiers made the insurgents in several battles fall back and regroup.
This man was the human equivalent of a helicopter gunship in terms of the terror instilled in the enemy. That’s fucking badass.
12 years ago at 3:36 pmReady to Lead, Never Follow, Never Quit.
To a great American hero, rest easy Chris.
12 years ago at 3:47 pmGood bless America and God Bless this Man for defending our freedoms while they are under attack across seas and at home
12 years ago at 4:09 pmRIP. God bless this great country we live in and all those who have fallen honoring the Red, White and Blue.
12 years ago at 4:10 pmAnyone know if those were Hells Angels?
12 years ago at 4:21 pmThis guy is a legend. I wish there were more people out there like him. Taken too son. RIP.
12 years ago at 5:58 pmI hope they buried him upside down so all of the terrorists can kiss his ass.
12 years ago at 9:14 pmFair winds and following seas.
12 years ago at 10:51 pmI think this went over most people’s heads, but well done.
-1LT
12 years ago at 12:22 amNavy reference?
12 years ago at 10:41 am“Sailors use this term synonymously with the points of sail below a beam reach, since the wind direction is generally the same as the sea direction. Therefore, the phrase “Fair winds and following seas,” implies that a vessel will have good winds, and not have to pound into the waves. The phrase is now used as a popular toast or salutation between mariners. It is also used during ceremonies, such as the beginning of a voyage, a ship’s commissioning, a retirement, funeral et cetera. [1]”
12 years ago at 3:04 pmRIP
12 years ago at 10:32 amBeing God’s number one bodyguard. TFM Rest in Piece you great American Icon
12 years ago at 1:34 pm