Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced that today will be Chris Kyle Day, in honor of the late Navy SEAL and subject of Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper.
Abbott made the announcement on Twitter and says that he plans on making a more formal proclamation at the governor’s office in Austin today at noon.
In an interview with Fox News, Abbott called Kyle an “American hero,” noting, “He had the guts to stand up and defend this country.”
Kyle was born in Midlothian, a Fort Worth suburb. He did four tours in Iraq and became the most lethal American sniper in history, with the most confirmed kills. In February 2013, he was killed at a North Texas gun range. Kyle was trying to help another veteran, who has since been charged in his death. The trail starts in March.
He co-wrote the best-seller American Sniper, which is the basis for Eastwood’s film of the same name. The movie has grossed nearly $250 million and just broke the Super Bowl weekend box office record.