A Texas Goodbye for American Sniper Chris Kyle-Truth!

A Texas Goodbye for American Sniper Chris Kyle – Truth!

Summary of eRumor:  

A forwarded email describes how generous donations from various companies and individuals led to the grand “Texas Goodbye” that was the funeral of “American Sniper” Chris Kyle, who was killed by a fellow veteran in 2013.

The Truth:

 

Details of Chris Kyle’s life, death and funeral are accurately reflected in this email.

There is no author listed, so TruthorFiction.com can’t confirm that it was authored by someone who attended Kyle’s funeral or memorials services. Still, many of the details can be confirmed.

Kyle gained a reputation as on of the most deadly snipers in military history during four combat tours as a Navy SEAL. Later, he wrote about his experiences in the book, “American Sniper,” which Clint Eastwood made into a movie starring Bradley Cooper. Kyle devoted much of his time (and all the proceeds from his book) to helping veterans overcome the emotional trauma of war. It was one of those veterans, 25-year-old Eddie Ray Routh, who took Kyle’s life in 2013, the New York Times reports:

Far from a war zone, Mr. Routh turned on Mr. Kyle, 38, and a second man, Chad Littlefield, 35, shortly after they arrived at an exclusive shooting range near Glen Rose, Tex., about 50 miles southwest of Fort Worth, law enforcement authorities said Sunday. The officials said that for reasons that were still unclear, Mr. Routh shot and killed both men with a semiautomatic handgun before fleeing in a pickup truck belonging to Mr. Kyle.

“Chad and Chris had taken a veteran out to shoot to try to help him,” said Travis Cox, a friend of Mr. Kyle’s. “And they were killed.”

Kyle’s murder was a shock that extended beyond military circles. His military service and advocacy for veterans had made him into a household name across the country. An outpouring of public support came as funeral arrangements were made.

Many details of Kyle’s funeral reported in the email can be confirmed. The funeral was held at Cowboys Stadium, and more than 7,000 people attended. Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was in attendance, as the email claims. Afterward, a funeral procession of 200 motorcycles, motor coaches, police cars and other vehicles traveled 200 miles to the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, where Kyle was interred. People waiving American flags paid their respects along the way.

Details included in the email about Southwest Airlines and Marriott Hotels providing discounted travel and lodging accommodations for Navy SEALs who traveled to Texas for the funeral can’t be confirmed at this time. TruthorFiction.com has reached out to both companies for comment, and future updates will be posted here.