Texas creates 'Chris Kyle Day' to honour the American sniper
Monday 2 February will honour the late Navy SEAL sharpshooter currently portrayed by Bradley Cooper in ‘American Sniper’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared Monday 2 February will henceforth be ‘Chris Kyle Day’ in the state, in honour of the Navy SEAL whose story is dramatised in Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-nominated box office hit, American Sniper.
Kyle, who had the most confirmed “kills” during the course of his military service, was shot and killed by a disgruntled US veteran on a Texas gun range in 2013.
Abbott, a Republican, made the announcement during a speech at the Texans Veterans of Foreign Affairs Mid-Winter Convention in Austin, according to a statement from the governor's office.
“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,” Abbott said during the speech, according to the statement.
American Sniper is based on Kyle’s own book of the same name and stars Bradley Cooper as the sharpshooter. It took just under $100 million in the world box office sales on its opening weekend, and has been nominated six Oscars, including Best Picture.
The film, which has sparked fierce debate between the left and the right, is set to be named the top-grossing war film of all time.
Additional reporting by Reuters News Agency
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments