America Loses Another Hero, Me Another Friend
on February 3, 2013
I first met Chris at SEAL Team THREE where we were both stationed, he was this big quiet guy who was all American and all Texas. Our paths crossed a few years later when he was a student at the SEAL sniper course; at the time I had just transferred to the program as an instructor. Chris was a great student, who was personally mentored by a good friend and fellow SEAL sniper instructor, Eric Davis. Eric wrote a great tribute to Chris that you can read here.
How did this happen? He was mentoring a Marine with severe PTSD, they went shooting together and the guy snapped and shot Chris. It’s tragic, especially given the circumstances and his deep love for helping his fellow American Veterans. Chris was successful in life after the Teams and he could have retired to his ranch and lived a quiet life. Instead he chose to be exemplary in all actions towards raising awareness for Veterans causes close to his heart. He’s a hero to me for this, and I will never forget him for it.
It’s a strange thing to be in your thirties and experience so many of your friends vanishing.
I never knew his wife or family well, but I do know that they are true American heroes. They have sacrificed greatly, Chris spoke so highly of his wife for the sacrifice she made. We spoke in great detail of the importance of family and friends, AND the importance of all Veterans sticking together. Many in the public will want to help but please realize the pressure that the family is under, especially with the news media, they need time to mourn in peace. Be respectful of that.
A Note to News Media
If you’re news media reading this then be respectful of how you interact with the family. Some news media people get this and some don’t. Strive to be the ones that do. Me and my friends in the military know who the bad ones are, we pay attention and share it with each other. I received several emails from news media yesterday asking me, “Did you know Chris?…Can we talk?” Five seconds on Google and you would have known that we were friends, teammates, and done projects together. Give the situation the respect it deserves, especially when it comes to dealing with his family.
A Note to America
Let’s take the high road, and choose to honor and respect an American Hero regardless of your political or Second Amendment beliefs. It disturbs me that people are celebrating his death and politicizing this tragedy. How we act in tough times is a measure of true character. Chris is an American who dedicated the greater part of his life to this country. We owe him, and his family, a massive debt, and we should honor them however we can.
See you on the other side, brother.
Brandon
What a beautiful tribute to a true hero. We as Americans are indebted to people like this who not only served in uniform but continued to serve after he came home.
My heart goes out to his family and friends for this senseless loss. May he never be forgotten for his contributions to this great country were selfless and many. May God bless him.
What a beautiful tribute to a true hero. We as Americans are indebted to people like this who not only served in uniform but continued to serve after he came home.
My heart goes out to his family and friends for this senseless loss. May he never be forgotten for his contributions to this great country were selfless and many. May God bless him.
So sad to hear this news. Chris clearly had a huge heart to never stop giving back to those around him in need. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and members of the Team he served with.
So sad to hear this news. Chris clearly had a huge heart to never stop giving back to those around him in need. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and members of the Team he served with.
So sorry for another tragic loss to you & your seal family. Please be safe Brandon, we need you on this side.
So sorry for another tragic loss to you & your seal family. Please be safe Brandon, we need you on this side.
Beautiful Tribute to A Real American Hero
Beautiful Tribute to A Real American Hero
Nice tribute, Brandon.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, Chief…
Nice tribute, Brandon.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, Chief…
Amen Brandon. “he could have retired to his ranch and lived a quiet life. Instead he chose to be exemplary in all actions towards raising awareness for Veterans causes close to his heart. He’s a hero to me for this, and I will never forget him for it.” Me too. Like so many said he had a way of making us all feel like we knew him even when our only contact with him was through his book, he touched many lives and will continue to. When I think about him this quote comes to mind “the man the myth the legend”
Amen Brandon. “he could have retired to his ranch and lived a quiet life. Instead he chose to be exemplary in all actions towards raising awareness for Veterans causes close to his heart. He’s a hero to me for this, and I will never forget him for it.” Me too. Like so many said he had a way of making us all feel like we knew him even when our only contact with him was through his book, he touched many lives and will continue to. When I think about him this quote comes to mind “the man the myth the legend”
Wonderful tribute Brandon. Godspeed Chris.
Wonderful tribute Brandon. Godspeed Chris.
Brandon, I completely agree america has lost a true hero I admire your words, and I thank you for your service.
Brandon, I completely agree america has lost a true hero I admire your words, and I thank you for your service.
The greatest example I have read about regarding Chris is how he would join Marine Rifle Squads in room clearing in Iraq. This great and elite Seal Sniper felt that he was no better than any other soldier or grunt and he stacked up with Marines to help them be more survivable in this dangerous environment. There are very few heroes like this man and this true Cowboy Warrior continued to serve others. RIP and May God Bless You and your family. You will stand watch over all sheep as do other Sheep Dogs such as Randy Shughart, Gary Gordon, Mike Monsoor, Mike Murphy and others……”All Gave Some, Some Gave All”.
The greatest example I have read about regarding Chris is how he would join Marine Rifle Squads in room clearing in Iraq. This great and elite Seal Sniper felt that he was no better than any other soldier or grunt and he stacked up with Marines to help them be more survivable in this dangerous environment. There are very few heroes like this man and this true Cowboy Warrior continued to serve others. RIP and May God Bless You and your family. You will stand watch over all sheep as do other Sheep Dogs such as Randy Shughart, Gary Gordon, Mike Monsoor, Mike Murphy and others……”All Gave Some, Some Gave All”.
Thank you for writing this. Well said.
I hope that the pubilc and the media keep their respectful distance for the family.
As to tributes, we addressed this with a donation to the SEAL Foundation. This growing community of surviving family members will need our support long after the news swings over to their next issue.
Thank you for writing this. Well said.
I hope that the pubilc and the media keep their respectful distance for the family.
As to tributes, we addressed this with a donation to the SEAL Foundation. This growing community of surviving family members will need our support long after the news swings over to their next issue.
B. Webb, my heart breaks for you and your community. You guys storys have had such an impact on me and others I know. Thankful for Mr. Kyle, he helped teach a guy how to be a man they essentially didn’t grow up with one. Because of his life and many of your storys I’m in the process of waiting to become an AF CCT. This loss is heavy….thank you and everyone else like you for doing what you do.
Mr. Kyle will never be forgotten in this household and his story will live on to inspire me…most importantly my sons.
v/r,
Patrick
Pfitz81 sofrep team room member
B. Webb, my heart breaks for you and your community. You guys story’s have had such an impact on me and others I know. Thankful for Mr. Kyle, he helped teach a guy how to be a man they essentially didn’t grow up with one. Because of his life and many of your story’s I’m in the process of waiting to become an AF CCT. This loss is heavy….thank you and everyone else like you for doing what you do.
Mr. Kyle will never be forgotten in this household and his story will live on to inspire me…most importantly my sons.
–Patrick
— Pfitz81 sofrep team room member
B. Webb, my heart breaks for you and your community. You guys story’s have had such an impact on me and others I know. Thankful for Mr. Kyle, he helped teach a guy how to be a man that essentially didn’t grow up with one. Because of his life and many of your story’s I’m in the process of waiting to become an AF CCT. This loss is heavy….thank you and everyone else like you for doing what you do.
Mr. Kyle will never be forgotten in this household and his story will live on to inspire me…most importantly my sons.
v/r,
Patrick
Pfitz81 sofrep team room member
B. Webb, my heart breaks for you and your community. You guys story’s have had such an impact on me and others I know. Thankful for Mr. Kyle, he helped teach a guy how to be a man that essentially didn’t grow up with one. Because of his life and many of your story’s I’m in the process of waiting to become an AF CCT. This loss is heavy….thank you and everyone else like you for doing what you do.
Mr. Kyle will never be forgotten in this household and his story will live on to inspire me…most importantly my sons.
v/r,
Patrick
Pfitz81 sofrep team room member
BW- your words keep the memories of our fallen alive. Your work, the work of Chris Kyle and many others help to keep us from becoming complacent. Thank you!
BW- your words keep the memories of our fallen alive. Your work, the work of Chris Kyle and many others help to keep us from becoming complacent. Thank you!
Sad story but….taking a guy with anger problems,drug problems,alcohol problems,authority problems and ptsd to a shooting range just seems like a mistake. Maybe a golf outing would have been a better choice,
Sad story but….taking a guy with anger problems,drug problems,alcohol problems,authority problems and ptsd to a shooting range just seems like a mistake. Maybe a golf outing would have been a better choice,
Well said. I had just finished his and your audio books w/in the last 2 months and was a huge fan. My heart goes out to his family.
Some events just make me wonder the heck God is thinking.
Well said. I had just finished his and your audio books w/in the last 2 months and was a huge fan. My heart goes out to his family.
Some events just make me wonder the heck God is thinking.
Like Chris, I grew up with guns. I took gun safety
courses at Barksdale AFB before I ever saw or held a gun. Same with my sons… We
started with air rifles, until safety was learned and assured. We didn’t go out
a shoot up the woods. I taught them to hunt – squirrel hunting with 22’s. They
got two bullets. If they missed, the squirrel won. And, many days, that’s how
it went. If they didn’t, they got 2 more bullets. By 12, we had cook-outs every
weekend with game they took. Just like my dad taught me, I taught them; we NEVER
shot anything we did not eat. EVER…
Maybe I’m guilty of letting my politics affect my thoughts
on “some” reactions to Chris’s death. Brandon’s shared thoughts have allowed me
to appreciate that others have views that they believe are as valid as mine. I
can live with that. But, all politics aside, I cannot understand or abide anyone
so insensitive as to boldly and cowardly say, “he got what he deserved”, “he
lived by the gun…” Chris did what his country asked of him and he did it better
than anyone. No matter your politics, Chris is a hero.
I’ll never understand, nor get over the bitterness of our
country (not Texans, or supporters of our troops) lowering the flag to half
mast for a drug addled musical prodigy, but not even mentioning one of our
greatest military heroes. And, you know what – Chris would be fine with that.
He didn’t need to be recognized. But, I’m not… and I never will be.
To Mr Webb, I don’t know if this is the right place to post this, but I respect and honor what you and Mr. Kyle did. I grew up with a full family in the military from the Navy and Marine Corpof pas in San Deigo, and other family in Air Force and Army. I have a tremendous amount of patriotism and respect for the military and there people. I work in the film businesses and my boss with Spielberg are going mto. start N
To Mr Webb, I don’t know if this is the right place to post this, but I respect and honor what you and Mr. Kyle did. I grew up with a full family in the military from the Navy and Marine Corpof pas in San Deigo, and other family in Air Force and Army. I have a tremendous amount of patriotism and respect for the military and there people. I work in the film businesses and my boss with Spielberg are going mto. start N
To experience all Chris had and then to have it happen that way at home – tragic loss.
To experience all Chris had and then to have it happen that way at home – tragic loss.