Honoring the Mission
“Christopher Scott “Chris” Kyle (April 8, 1974 – February 2, 2013)
Most of you know the story of Chris Kyle. His autobiography was a bestseller and audiences around the country flocked to see the movie American Sniper. From 1999-2009, he recorded the most sniper kills in US military history. He was feared and a bounty was placed on his head. He was called ‘the devil” by insurgents. His job was to protect with deadly accuracy his Teammates, Marines, and other military soldiers and airmen with deadly accuracy.
He was awarded two Silver Stars, five Bronze Stars with Valor, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, as well as on Navy and Marine Corps Commendation. He was shot twice, survived multiple helicopter crashes and was involved in six IED attacks.
“I have lived the literal meaning of ‘land of the Free and Home of the Brave.’ It is not corny for me. I felt it in my heart. I feel it in my chest.” Chris Kyle
Tragically his life was cut short in 2013; however his mission continues.
Chris was the kind of guy that most people growing up in Texas would call a good ole boy. Most often he would be dressed in his boots, jeans, t-shirt and a ball cap driving his big black truck. The ball cap was sort of his trademark and rarely was he ever seen without it and even wore it during television interviews.
He was the son of a church deacon, born in the sands of Odessa (think Friday Night Lights) but thanks to his father’s job they moved around a lot. He grew up hunting had BB gun wars with his friends. We did the same thing growing up, don’t judge, no one lost an eye, but sometimes those little boogers did have to be carved out.
In high school his favorite sports were football and baseball and growing up in Midlothian those were big times. He loved the Texas Cowboy lifestyle, including riding broncs in local rodeos. If you grew up in Texas you would understand, he lived his life on his terms and was never shy to stand up for his friends and what he believed in.
But like a lot of veterans returning home after combat he struggled. He returned home to a family, a wife and kids he barely knew. “In the three years before I got out, I spent a total of six months at home. It’s hard to go from God, Country, Family to God, Family, Country.”
At 38 Chris was a big man, 6 foot 2 and 230lbs but his penchant for working out made him appear even larger. He knew that fitness and physical health had a direct impact on his mental health as well. The more he worked out the better he felt. He often would tell other veterans he met that were struggling that they needed to start working out.
And that is where the mission began. Many of the veterans he wanted to help had injuries, missing limbs, severe burns and were either uncomfortable working out in public or were painfully aware of how others perceived their injuries. The idea came to him to try and place fitness equipment in the homes of the veterans. After several attempts he finally developed a relationship with a company called FITCO and instead of donating used they provided new equipment and helped fund the new nonprofit dedicated to Kyle’s mission.
Helping others gave Kyle a new purpose, his purpose and he dedicated himself to helping others. It was therapeutic, the more he helped the better he felt. The same strength and relentlessness that helped him become a Navy Seal was now driving his new mission and his drive to be a better husband and father. He started coaching his son in tee-ball and taking his daughter to dance practice. He hated fishing growing up, but when he found out his son loved to fish he started to enjoy it. Taking on this new mission was changing his life as much as it was all the other veterans he was helping.
“With helping people Chris found his new purpose,” Tara Kyle.
America lost Chris Kyle in 2013. Call him what you want, a hero, the “the devil of Ramadi”, the Legend, I choose to see him as more than that. He was a man who stood up for those who couldn’t, a man that protected those that needed protecting, and a soldier who gave more than he had to give so that others wouldn’t have to.
“I would love for people to be able to think of me as a guy who stood up for what he believed in and helped make a difference for vets”. Chris Kyle
Today, the Guardian for Heroes Foundation (originally Heroes Project) strives to raise donations to help US service men and women having difficulties becoming productive citizens because of the ongoing issues created by a physical disability or PTS in their personal lives. The foundation is proud to carry on the mission of Chris Kyle to restore hope, renew spirits, and replenish energy for our Combat Veterans who have had difficulty transitioning to post-military life.
GHF offers free, in home fitness equipment, facilitation of donated health club memberships, individualized programs, personal training, as well as life coaching and comprehensive support to in-need Veterans with disabilities, Gold Star families, and those struggling with PTS. Our in-home gyms provide easy access and a more private environment to work out and work through some of these uncertainties.
This Labor Day Weekend you can help carry on the mission of Chris Kyle’s Guardian for Heroes. Join us for a weekend of Family, Fitness, and Freedom, as we Elevate NWA. Weekend events feature a Friday night concert by MercyMe and the Mid America Championship presented by CrossFit NWA and Junk Brands. All proceeds go to Guardian for Heroes Foundation.
The Mid America Championship, in its 2nd year promises to be bigger, stronger, and faster than ever. We have brought the best athletes together with the best programming, DJ, emcees, and vendors in a state of the art sports facility for your competitive and spectating enjoyment. Plus, we promise that our opening ceremony on Friday night at 5:30 will leave you amazed, inspired, and proud to be an American.
Here is how you can get involved:
- Volunteers are needed for all facets of the event from judging the competitors to helping with equipment, set setting up and tearing down, and all other functions that help keep the competition running smoothly. This is a big event for our community and we need your help to make it a success.
- Share with your friends and family. There will be lots of vendors, booths, and interests for everyone whether they are into fitness or not, there is something for everyone.
If you would like to volunteer our Volunteer Coordinator, Cathy Davis Julius, or myself can help you get set up. The links below can also direct you to more information about this great Labor Day Weekend and how you can enjoy Family, Fitness, and Freedom September 4-6th.
Midamericachampionship.com
Volunteer Registration online: http://bit.ly/MAC2015_volunteer
Elevatenwa.com
Or look for us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
As of July 2012, the Department of Defense reported that almost 50,000 U.S. service men and women have been injured in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn.
God bless and see you at the box!
The WOD Father
The WOD Father 
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