Chuck Norris Honors American Sniper Chris Kyle 11 Years After Death
By Movieguide® Contributor
Chuck Norris honored the 11-year anniversary of former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle’s death on Feb. 2.
Chris and his business partner Chad Littlefield were killed at their practice shooting range by a former marine. Chris had served as a Navy SEAL for 10 years and is considered the deadliest sniper in U.S. military history, with over 160 confirmed kills over his four tours. Though he faced countless dangers while serving the country, he was killed in a senseless act of violence on home soil.
Norris posted a tribute to Chris on Instagram:
11 years ago today we lost an extraordinary American hero, Chris Kyle, also known as the American Sniper. Chris served this country with honor and bravery. I’d like us all to pay our respects and gratitude to Chris and all the men and women that have laid down their lives for our freedom. May we never forget their sacrifice.
Chris’ wife, Taya, has explained how, despite the tragedy, she found a deeper appreciation for God’s character.
“11 yrs since Chris and Chad were murdered in cold blood… There is no sense in it, no explanation. Where is God? God promises free will to all people, and He keeps His promises. Even people who choose to do evil with their free will have the choice,” Taya said in a commemorative post on Instagram.
“Where was God? He was with us. He was with you. He was with Chris and Chad. He was with all the broken-hearted people in the world,” she continued. “He was with babies being knitted in their mother’s wombs, in celebrations, baptisms, joys, and pains.”
God was with Taya as well, and in the fallout of the murders, she now sees how his hand was present in everything.
“[God] has shown more of Himself, His majesty, and love through every pain rippling out from the murders. The lawsuits all mercifully ended in our favor,” Taya said. “Rumors and hate have risen, fallen, and faded while God’s glory has grown. His love is magnified in my childen’s and my hearts.”
“Some say faith is a crutch for the weak-minded, but my experience is the opposite. Each of us has a unique fingerprint and voice that are not replicated in any other person in all time,” she continued. “We have unique gifts and challenges that can either strengthen or destroy us. All of us are irreplaceable. YOU are irreplaceable.”
“I used to say I could not wait to see Chris in heaven, but maybe that isn’t accurate. I can wait because time passes, God heals, and I have a beautiful life here, maybe not despite the pain, but perhaps because of it. I love our Creator with all of me,” Taya added. “He makes all the difference.”
Chris’ story is portrayed in the movie AMERICAN SNIPER. Part of Movieguide®’s review reads:
AMERICAN SNIPER tells the story of Chris Kyle, the most successful sniper in U.S. military history. Chris grew up to become an expert marksman and a rough rodeo cowboy with strong Christian faith. After marrying his wife, a crisis happens in the Middle East, and Chris joins the Navy Seals. An expert marksman, he becomes a legend, shooting men, women and children who are trying to kill the Americans and their local allies. Meanwhile, Chris’s wife has two children at home, but each trip home after a tour of duty, he becomes more alienated. Eventually, Chris is ready to return home, but he’s not the same man.
Based on a true story, AMERICAN SNIPER is full of strong Christian faith, self-sacrifice and patriotism. The movie is endlessly captivating and full of jeopardy, and Clint Eastwood does a magnificent job directing. That said, after countless killings, even the audience may become war weary. Also, a couple characters lose faith and courage. Finally, AMERICAN SNIPER contains many “f” words, extreme violence and some lewd content. AMERICAN SNIPER is a powerful but difficult movie for patriotic people of faith and values.
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