Texas governor declares Feb. 2 'Chris Kyle Day'
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Republican Gov. Greg Abbott says he is declaring Feb. 2 as "Chris Kyle Day" in Texas to honor the late U.S. serviceman whose life is depicted in the blockbuster film "American Sniper."
Abbott made the announcement Friday while speaking to a Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars Convention in Austin. Hundreds of veterans in a hotel ballroom greeted the news with a standing ovation.
Kyle's hometown was the Fort Worth suburb of Midlothian. He was 37 when he was killed in 2013 at a North Texas gun range. A former Marine charged in his death goes on trial in Stephenville next month.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Abbott said the state will commemorate Kyle's life on Monday.
Kyle did four tours in Iraq and is considered to be the deadliest sniper in U.S. military history.