Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared today Chris Kyle day in honor of the American Sniper.
Abbott announced it at a Veterans of Foreign Wars conference Friday.
“In honor of a Texas son, a Navy SEAL and an American hero – a man who defended his brothers and sisters in arms on and off the battlefield – I am declaring February 2nd Chris Kyle Day in Texas. We will commemorate his passing. But more importantly, remembering his answering of the call of duty,” Abbott told the veterans.
“We thank Chris Kyle and all of you for your service and sacrifice. And we rededicate ourselves o a cause greater than ourselves. To freedom for our children, their children and for generations yet to be born. May God bless you and all who wear the uniform of the United States of America.”
This morning on Fox, Abbott said “we need to understand that we need American heroes not just as people to look up to; we need American heroes to protect us from evil like what Chris Kyle did.”
The governor planned to issue the proclamation at noon Texas time.
“I’m recognizing, as Chris would insist, not just him, but the fact that he is the face of so many other military heroes that we’ve had in this country, those who risked their lives, those who will do things that most Americans cannot even comprehend to make America a safer place,” he said.
Abbott said he spoke with Kyle’s wife about the decision and she was “tearful and joyful and respectful.”
Kyle was killed on a shooting range Feb. 2, 2o13. The trial of the Marine vet charged with capital murder, Eddie Ray Routh, is expected to begin this month.
Abbott said those criticizing Kyle “have the First Amendment right to criticize Chris — Chris Kyle is because he had the guts to stand up and defend this country and its Constitution.”
“So they should all be on their knees thanking Chris Kyle that we have the United States Constitution and the freedoms that we have in the nation to even criticize one of our soldiers,” he added.
I finally saw #AmericanSniper this weekend. It was amazing. Bradley Cooper’s performance was so powerful. Everyone left the theater silent.
— Wolf Blitzer (@wolfblitzer) February 2, 2015
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