Chris Kyle

[steve1 5]

A true American hero is murdered, and then someone tries to build a anti-gun thread around his name. I think Chris Kyle deserves better than that.

I read his book quite a while back. I don't think most people know that Kyle was a Texas cowboy. He rode saddle bronc, and was well on his way to becoming a champion. He ended up being busted up really bad and he had to give up the sport he loved. He was lucky to even get in the navy because of his previous injuries.

I've only met a few men who made it through SEAL training. I look up to anyone who can accomplish that. SEAL sniper training also washes out a lot of men. Number one, you have to be smart, have the ability to think under pressure, and never quit.

Chris Kyle has more confirmed kills than any other sniper, in our history. He did it to protect himself and his fellow soldiers.

I can't recall all the exploits in his book. One of those stands out in my memory though. He was dragging a wounded Marine to safety. The guy died in his arms. That alone shows the true character of this man.

Is it any wonder so many veterans are having problems when they come back. Many are trained to kill, and then they go to combat where they suffer horrendous trauma. Anger enables them to do their job. Then they are asked to return to civilian life and be like everyone else. They are asked to turn off all that they learned in combat. Sometimes that is next to impossible. These men are not the same young men when they come back. It may take years, just to learn how to cope in a healthy way.

I think the biggest reason why I respect Kyle is that he was trying to help his fellow combat veterans after he got out of the Navy. He knew how hard this was. He had issues himself.

Kyle took many Vets out hunting and shooting. That is what he did growing up, and he knew it could help. Many Vets did benefit from that.

Yes, this sort of thing can trigger past trauma in some. Maybe this wasn't the best approach for a Vet who has serious emotional issues. It's too bad that Kyle was killed by a friend. Noone is infallable. Kyle probably never saw it coming.

I don't know volumes about exposure therapy. It does need to be done carefully. Triggering too many feelings too fast can send someone off the deep end. That is probably what happened to the guy that murdered Kyle.

It is easy to hate the guy that did it, or to call him a nut case, or worse. It is also understandable when you look at what some of these guys have been through.

Anyone else have some thoughts on this?

[quade 4]

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A true American hero is murdered, and then someone tries to build a anti-gun thread around his name. I think Chris Kyle deserves better than that.

Then why did you just do it? No free passes on this one. You just did exactly what you're complaining about.

I pretty much agree with everything you said afterward, but . . . come on down off your high horse with regards to other people's commentary on actions. It's a yin-yang world and it's just as right to talk about what bad happened as it is what good happened.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[OHCHUTE 0]

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A true American hero is murdered, and then someone tries to build a anti-gun thread around his name. I think Chris Kyle deserves better than that.

I read his book quite a while back. I don't think most people know that Kyle was a Texas cowboy. He rode saddle bronc, and was well on his way to becoming a champion. He ended up being busted up really bad and he had to give up the sport he loved. He was lucky to even get in the navy because of his previous injuries.

I've only met a few men who made it through SEAL training. I look up to anyone who can accomplish that. SEAL sniper training also washes out a lot of men. Number one, you have to be smart, have the ability to think under pressure, and never quit.

Chris Kyle has more confirmed kills than any other sniper, in our history. He did it to protect himself and his fellow soldiers.

I can't recall all the exploits in his book. One of those stands out in my memory though. He was dragging a wounded Marine to safety. The guy died in his arms. That alone shows the true character of this man.

Is it any wonder so many veterans are having problems when they come back. Many are trained to kill, and then they go to combat where they suffer horrendous trauma. Anger enables them to do their job. Then they are asked to return to civilian life and be like everyone else. They are asked to turn off all that they learned in combat. Sometimes that is next to impossible. These men are not the same young men when they come back. It may take years, just to learn how to cope in a healthy way.

I think the biggest reason why I respect Kyle is that he was trying to help his fellow combat veterans after he got out of the Navy. He knew how hard this was. He had issues himself.

Kyle took many Vets out hunting and shooting. That is what he did growing up, and he knew it could help. Many Vets did benefit from that.

Yes, this sort of thing can trigger past trauma in some. Maybe this wasn't the best approach for a Vet who has serious emotional issues. It's too bad that Kyle was killed by a friend. Noone is infallable. Kyle probably never saw it coming.

I don't know volumes about exposure therapy. It does need to be done carefully. Triggering too many feelings too fast can send someone off the deep end. That is probably what happened to the guy that murdered Kyle.

It is easy to hate the guy that did it, or to call him a nut case, or worse. It is also understandable when you look at what some of these guys have been through.

Anyone else have some thoughts on this?

There are always people wanting to make a buck, especially with the internet being a quick way to get a buisiness started. Within hours of newtown some guy up there was getting donations claiming one of his kids was killed. Of course the other stuff you are saying about treatment is an entirely different discussion where only those experienced in mental health know best. We lost a good guy here. Shame.

[regulator 0]

So if this discussion was about some 50 jump wonder getting on a load with a gopro would you still say that?

My nephew is in the Navy. My father was an officer in the army and I was in the army myself. Many posters on here have no idea what its like to serve and precious few know the true reasons of why they are able to keep going.

The short answer?

The man right next to them.

He did deserve better. Now all we can do is try and better ourselves because of what happened to him. Others will just use it as a tactic for political gain.

[normiss 892]

Nicely said.

[quade 4]

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So if this discussion was about some 50 jump wonder getting on a load with a gopro would you still say that?

Yes! I would absolutely question why somebody was bitching about bringing up his name in relationship to what was done.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[regulator 0]

This is how I work. I would fit into that exact category..except I dont own a gopro. In fact I wouldnt jump with one until I have several hundred jumps. Just like I wouldnt ever point point a weapon at someone unless I meant to defend myself with one. There are a lot of informed, well trained people who would never harm someone unless they had harm intended on them. Stripping rights of people like this to acheive some feel good legislation that doesnt acheive anything isnt something I'm comfortable with.

[OHCHUTE 0]

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A true American hero is murdered, and then someone tries to build a anti-gun thread around his name. I think Chris Kyle deserves better than that.

Then why did you just do it? No free passes on this one. You just did exactly what you're complaining about.

I pretty much agree with everything you said afterward, but . . . come on down off your high horse with regards to other people's commentary on actions. It's a yin-yang world and it's just as right to talk about what bad happened as it is what good happened.

This response was unwarrented. The guy feels for the victim. He didn't say anything wrong. You twist things out of context. Maybe he should have consulting you about his post prior to posting to ensure it met your approval. He didn't intend to bring any attention to himself for using the victim's name in talking about how his name was used. WTF.

[quade 4]

Remind me again, am I supposed to consult with you before I make a post?

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[kallend 2,146]

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A true American hero is murdered, and then someone tries to build a anti-gun thread around his name. I think Chris Kyle deserves better than that.



Anyone else have some thoughts on this?

Maybe the best way to honor Kyle would be making it much harder for mentally disturbed people to have access to guns.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[OHCHUTE 0]

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A true American hero is murdered, and then someone tries to build a anti-gun thread around his name. I think Chris Kyle deserves better than that.



Anyone else have some thoughts on this?

Maybe the best way to honor Kyle would be making it much harder for mentally disturbed people to have access to guns.

Nothing wrong with that. I think engaging war veterans in other activities would be good. Ending the war and getting these kids out of harms way would do better.

[Arvoitus 1]

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Chris Kyle has more confirmed kills than any other sniper, in our history.

Nope.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simo_Häyhä

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During the Winter War (1939–1940) between Finland and the Soviet Union, Häyhä served as a sniper for the Finnish Army against the Red Army in the 6th Company of JR 34 on the Kollaa River. In temperatures between -40° and -20 °C (-4 °F), dressed completely in white camouflage, Häyhä was credited with 505 confirmed kills of Soviet soldiers.

Your rights end where my feelings begin.

[quade 4]

I'd cut him some slack. He did say "our history" which in this case might be reasonably interpreted as US history.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[JerryBaumchen 1,465]

Hi Paul,

Just going from memory, but just after Mr. Kyle got killed I read 'something' ( maybe local paper which is now in the recycle bin ) that he had the 2nd most kills of any American sniper.

Anyone know for sure?

JerryBaumchen

PS) My interior house painter ( who got a B license back in the 60's ) was a USMC sniper in VietNam. Small world.

[Andy9o8 2]

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A true American hero is murdered, and then someone tries to build a anti-gun thread around his name. I think Chris Kyle deserves better than that.

Anyone else have some thoughts on this?

Maybe the best way to honor Kyle would be making it much harder for mentally disturbed people to have access to guns.

Nothing wrong with that. I think engaging war veterans in other activities would be good. Ending the war and getting these kids out of harms way would do better.

Agreed. But let's not stop there. The next step is for all of us to walk the walk, and not just talk the talk. The lessons we supposedly learned from Vietnam seem to have been forgotten once that generation was in charge, because we went did it all over again in Iraq. Agent Orange was replaced with new mystery maladies, and the last batch of PTSD disabled have been supplanted with the latest batch of PTSD disableds. And look what it's gotten us.

40 years ago, when we were naively protesting our asses off, we learned the hard way that once the soldiers are in-country, protesting at home is too little and too late to do much good. The next time a President and Congress are hot to say "Go", We The People have to be willing to stand up and say "No!"

[BIGUN 1,483]

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Chris Kyle has more confirmed kills than any other sniper, in our history.

Nope.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simo_Häyhä

Quote

During the Winter War (1939–1940) between Finland and the Soviet Union, Häyhä served as a sniper for the Finnish Army against the Red Army in the 6th Company of JR 34 on the Kollaa River. In temperatures between -40° and -20 °C (-4 °F), dressed completely in white camouflage, Häyhä was credited with 505 confirmed kills of Soviet soldiers.

Our history (USA) Not Finland's history. Sheesh

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[steve1 5]

.

[kallend 2,146]

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Chris Kyle has more confirmed kills than any other sniper, in our history.

Nope.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simo_Häyhä

Quote

During the Winter War (1939–1940) between Finland and the Soviet Union, Häyhä served as a sniper for the Finnish Army against the Red Army in the 6th Company of JR 34 on the Kollaa River. In temperatures between -40° and -20 °C (-4 °F), dressed completely in white camouflage, Häyhä was credited with 505 confirmed kills of Soviet soldiers.

Our history (USA) Not Finland's history. Sheesh

DZ.COM is not a US web site. Sheesh!

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[regulator 0]

Isnt this a south african site?

[steve1 5]

In my office I have an American flag on my wall. It was given to me by this same Airborne Ranger who was once my student. He carried that flag into combat on more than one occaision in Afganistan (in his pack).

It was truly an honor to receive such a gift. I can't think of many possessions I value more.

I like reading books about War, but to tell you the truth I don't have a clue how terrible that must be.

I plan to retire this Spring, from the school I work for. I'd like to work for the V.A. next. These guys need our help. Kyle was doing just that when he was killed.

Working as a therapist with combat vets could be dangerous. I talked with a woman once who was a high ranking Naval officer. She was a therapist working with Vets. I asked her, if she might be a little frightened to work with some of these guys.

Some of them had killed many times. Violence is part of their job. Therapy sometimes brings out a lot of anger in a person.

She said she wasn't too frightened and she is continuing to see vets every day. She said SEALS and RECON marines are usually very resistant to therapy. These guys are hard core. Talking about feelings doesn't come easy for them.

I talked with another therapist who was a clinical psychologist. He said he has been threatened several times in sessions. One guy was going to hit him with a chair. This work may not be easy to do.....Maybe I need to rethink this some. I'm not near as brave as some folks.

Maybe I should just retire and be a skydiving bum!

[BIGUN 1,483]

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Chris Kyle has more confirmed kills than any other sniper, in our history.

Nope.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simo_Häyhä

Quote

During the Winter War (1939–1940) between Finland and the Soviet Union, Häyhä served as a sniper for the Finnish Army against the Red Army in the 6th Company of JR 34 on the Kollaa River. In temperatures between -40° and -20 °C (-4 °F), dressed completely in white camouflage, Häyhä was credited with 505 confirmed kills of Soviet soldiers.

Our history (USA) Not Finland's history. Sheesh

DZ.COM is not a US web site. Sheesh!

Is that why our countries are expressed under "our" Avatar's name? As in the author of the reply? Let's re-focus back on Chris, please. I'm at fault also.

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.