Chris Kyle

(http://precisionrifleblog.com/2015/01/17/american)

One U.S Navy SEAL enlistment and four Iraq servings later, Chris Kyle is possibly the best sniper to ever serve in the U.S military. The sacrifices that he's made have him greatly idolized amongst the land of the free. However, his work as a sniper or the medals he received is not what makes him stand out. The impact Chris Kyle has made to millions with his achievements, courage, and selflessness all contribute to why he is a deserving hero on and off the battlefield.

(http://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/2)

Once you take that first step onto the battlefield there is no going back. You immediately put everything on the line and nothing else matters. Chris Kyle had the opportunity to experience this firsthand: "He gave the ultimate sacrifice and served his nation with distinction and bravery while saving countless American lives" ("Roger Williams..."). From the start, Kyle knew that signing with the military would not be an easy task, especially as a sniper, yet as time passed he soon realized that he couldn't go back to living on the safe line. "Mr. Kyle was constantly in danger of being shot. He also had to see Marines being shot. This also followed him home, a tragic thing to have to deal with for the rest of his life" (Cooper). There was no easy day for Kyle, at any given moment his world could go black. He displayed his courage every time he put his job before his life. Whether it being a wrong decision or losing a fellow friend, Kyle had to live with the scars that were left on him from the battlefield, but he still pushed through.

(http://crossfitalpha1athlete.com/chris-kyle-hero)

After retiring from the U.S. Military, Chris Kyle chose to help other retirees like the true hero he is rather than start all over. Many soldiers came back home traumatized, like himself, and Kyle chose to lend out a hand. "Kyle started an organization to get them donated fitness equipment, and this family man, father of two children, was also a gifted mentor for the troops struggling with the transition back to home life" ("Tragic Result..."). He helped former veterans, donated what he could, and made sure he left an uplifting mark on everyone he met. Kyle was given a job that could either make or break him: "He however saved countless marines' lives on that dreaded battlefield so that someone wouldn't have to tell that marine's family that their loved one has died in battle" (Cooper). At war Kyle was a sniper for his country and his fellow soldiers. He knew that killing people left a great amount of damage, but he could put the needs of others above his own. Chris Kyle did the best he could throughout his life and he's selfless because of it.

Chris Kyle stands out as a deserving hero to me due to his courageous actions, outstanding accomplishments, and his desire to help others in need. He displayed all these attributes as he fought on the battlefield, acted as a guide to many former soldiers in recovery, and filled the family man role in his daily life. Kyle was constantly giving back to his country and always had the best of intentions for whatever he was doing. Although he passed away recently, Kyle inspires me to stay loyal to my loved ones and to stand up for my beliefs no matter the circumstances. He had seen and been through so much in his lifetime, yet through it all he ended his life knowing he made a difference in a life and that is what makes a true hero.

(http://precisionrifleblog.com/2015/01/17/american)

"'American Sniper' Chris Kyle's wife thanks audiences for 'watching the hard stuff'; Taya Kyle  has told of her gratitude to audiences for supporting the film about her dead husband Chris Kyle, a Navy Seal played by Bradley Cooper." Telegraph Online 21 Jan. 2015. Biography in Context. Web. 30 Mar. 2015.

"Chris Kyle." Gale Biography in Context. Detroit: Gale, 2012. Biography in Context. Web. 26 Mar. 2015.

"Chris Kyle." Contemporary Authors Online. Detroit: Gale, 2013. Biography in Context. Web. 26 Mar. 2015.

"Tragic Result: Sniper Tries To Help Troubled Veteran." Morning Edition 28 May 2013. Biography in Context. Web. 29 Mar. 2015.

"ROGER WILLIAMS INTRODUCES CHRIS KYLE MEDAL OF HONOR ACT." States News Service 2 Mar. 2015. Biography in Context. Web. 29 Mar. 2015.

Cooper. "The My Hero Project - Chris Kyle." Myhero.com. The My Hero Project, Inc., 3 Mar. 2015. Web. 29 Mar. 2015. .

American Sniper. Digital image. Precision Rifle Blog. N.p., 17 Jan. 2015. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.        .

Chris Kyle. Digital image. N.p., 17 Jan. 2015. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.  .

Chris Kyle Hero WOD. Digital image. Crossfit Alpha 1 Athlete. N.p., 1 Feb. 2015. Web. 14 Apr. 2015. .

Thibodeaux, Brandon. The Legend of Chris Kyle. Digital image. D MAGAZINE. N.p., Apr. 2013. Web. 14 Apr. 2015. <(http://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/2)>.