Thousands Honor Slain Navy SEAL Chris Kyle in Texas

A 200-mile procession to the Texas State Cemetery in Austin will take place Tuesday, a day after a massive memorial service at Dallas Cowboys Stadium

Thousands of people, military and non-military, honored slain former Navy SEAL and "American Sniper" author Chris Kyle at a memorial service at Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Monday.

Kyle's widow Taya Kyle told mourners that her late husband, who along with his friend Chad Littlefield was shot and killed Feb. 2 at a Texas gun range, would always be with her. An Iraq War veteran is accused in that shooting.

At Kyle's two-hour memorial service Monday, his friends and military service members described him as a dedicated family man known for his sense of humor, compassion, selflessness and generosity.

Country music star Randy Travis performed at the memorial service and told the thousands gathered there that he was glad to be there, adding that he never met Kyle but wished he had.

Travis then began playing his guitar and singing "Whisper My Name," which he said Kyle's wife had told him was a meaningful song for the couple. Travis also sang "Amazing Grace."

The memorial service ended with bagpipers playing a recessional as Kyle's flag-draped coffin was carried out of Cowboys Stadium.

On Tuesday, Kyle will again be honored with a 200-mile procession from Midlothian, Texas, to the Texas State Cemetery in the capital city of Austin.

Police say military personnel, first responders and the Patriot Guard will escort the procession.

Dan Mathys is one of the more than 200-plus Patriot Guard Riders invited by Kyle's family to take part in the memorial.

"Chris Kyle's mission is the biggest mission we've ever done," Mathys told NBC 5 DFW. "We've done big missions in the past. We hear riders are coming in from all over the country. Florida, Montana, let alone the military and the public being invited to this memorial service is something we've never seen before."

Kyle earned a reputation as one of the military's most lethal snipers during four tours of duty in Iraq. His wartime account, "American Sniper," was a best-seller.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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