Texas Honors American Sniper Chris Kyle With Highway Dedication

In May 2015, the Texas Senate passed House Bill 1187 designating a segment of U.S. Hwy 287 in Midlothian, as the Chris Kyle Memorial Highway. In June, Governor Greg Abbott signed the bill into law and this past Friday - almost 3 years to the date Chris was killed - I had the honor of spending the day with Chris' widow, Taya Kyle and the couple's two children at an official ceremony prior to the signs going up. The room was filled with city and state officials, family and friends of the couple. Chris grew up in Midlothian and after retiring from the service returned to the small town to raise his family. I found myself sharing this special moment via a small world connection with one of Chris' best friends Rich Emberlin. I've met Taya several times and have always been impressed with her sincerity and strength. A very emotional Taya spoke to the room to convey her gratitude.  "I don't want it to be seeing the sign and missing him every time.  But seeing the sign and hopefully remembering what he stood for.... a good ole' boy, in the best of ways... He had this capacity to serve in a way that a lot of people don't have, but I think he's inspired more of us to have more of that. Observe more. Do more. Be more appreciative... If we can do all of that when we see this sign.. I think that would make Chris happy and it would make me happy too."

Bradley Cooper Charms Dallas at American Sniper Premiere

Last night Teya Kyle hosted a red carpet premiere of the film American Sniper with proceeds benefiting the newly formed Chris Kyle Frog Foundation. American Sniper is the story of U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle (played by Bradley Cooper) who takes his sole mission -- protect his comrades -- to heart and becomes one of the most lethal snipers in American history. Known as "The Legend", his pinpoint accuracy not only saves countless lives but also makes him a prime target of insurgents. Despite grave danger and his struggle to be a good husband and father to his family back in the States, Kyle serves four tours of duty in Iraq. Not only does this film show us the struggles of his daily life during war time, but it shows how difficult it can be when soldiers return home and have to completely readjust to a new "normal" life. Rich Emberlin was Chris Kyle's best friend and happens to also be a dear friend of mine. I published a post last month talking about Rich's experience at the New York world premiere of the film. He majorly hooked me up with special access to the VIP event prior to the film where I was honored to meet Teya Kyle and military veteran Jacob Schick who appears in the movie. I can't say I was surprised to look over and see Roger and Marianne Staubach in the room seeing how Roger is a Navy veteran and served in Vietnam. The film's star, Bradley Cooper, flew in for the event and I was able to charm my way onto the red carpet for these photographs:

Cynthia Smoot with Taya Kyle

Chris Kyle's Best Friend Talks About American Sniper

“American Sniper” starring Bradley Cooper opened in theaters Christmas Day and tells the true story of Texas-born Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history. Directed by renowned filmmaker Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, it's already garnering critical acclaim and Oscar buzz. If you aren't familiar with Kyle's story, here's his pretty awe-inspiring life in a nutshell: Kyle served as a Navy SEAL in 4 tours in the latest Iraq war. For his bravery and military skills, he was awarded some of the highest medals in the US military multiple times including the Bronze and Silver Star. Kyle is considered the deadliest sniper in this country’s history, with 160 confirmed kills out of 255 claimed kills. After 4 tours abroad, Kyle needed to make a decision on family life or the military. He had a small child that he did not know very well as he was overseas constantly. This also put pressure on his marriage, so he decided to leave the SEALS and was honourably discharged in 2009. After some time struggling with civilian life, he started a security company called CRAFT and wrote the New York Times bestselling book, American Sniper. Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield were fatally shot at a shooting range southwest of Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. Former Marine Eddie Ray Routh, who came with them to the range, was arrested for the murders.