Chris Kyle, the subject of blockbuster film “American Sniper,” gave an interview before his death, saying that soldiers who fight overseas--say in Afghanistan or in Iraq--aren’t the only ones who have to deal with the stresses of combat.
Speaking with Newsmax in 2012, Kyle talked about his wife. “It’s for the civilians ... When [troops] deploy and go to war, it’s not just them at war--it’s also their family. Their family has to go through the hardship and stresses.
“You’re not just going out there and sacrificing your own life, there’s also sacrifices going on at home. You can serve in the military and have a good marriage,” he said.
With this in mind, Kyle--who wrote a book about his experiences--said that the majority of Americans don’t understand what it’s like to go to war.
This week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is aiming to aside a holiday to honor Kyle. “I have declared February 2 to be Chris Kyle Day in Texas,” he tweeted. “We honor our military heroes.”
On Friday, Abbott said in a speech that Kyle, who had 160 confirmed kills, was “a man who defended his brothers and sisters in arms on and off the battlefield,” according to CNN.
Directed by Clint Eastwood, “American Sniper” has generated more than $107 million over the first weekend.
