Essay Sample anout Chris Kyle: A True Hero

There are many different definitions as to what makes a person a hero. What is fascinating about this is that all these definitions are correct depending on the person. However, a hero is usually depicted in a positive manner. People can be heroes for multiple reasons and could be a hero to one person, while they are not a hero to another person. Chris Kyle was a United States Navy Seal Sniper and served four tours in Iraq. He was awarded several commendations for acts of heroism and meritorious service in combat. Kyle served as a role model for many service members as he set an example of duty and honor in the military. Topics about the military are very interesting to me and serve as a tool to live my life day to day. So many great leaders have been in the military and have set a high example for many people. There were many people that were close with Chris Kyle and portrayed him as a hero for his town when he passed away in 2013. The question that I researched is: Given that Chris Kyle had notable qualities, can I find evidence that this individual was portrayed as heroic in any way in news articles written from 2008-2016? In order to research this question, I used articles and newspapers from the years 2014-2016. After analyzing four different sources, I concluded that Chris Kyle was portrayed as a hero for the American people according to the sources. Every source was successful in supporting the fact that Chris Kyle had a positive impact on society.  These four sources have portrayed Chris Kyle in a positive way, which leads to an inferring that he is seen as a hero to the author and the author's audience. There are multiple pieces of evidence to support the fact that Kyle was loved and prized by his community. 

Kyle had a heart for other people. After Kyle's tours in Iraq, he would help veterans with their mental stability back in the United States. This is a significance to Kyle’s heroic character because, “Despite struggling with his own demons, Mr. Kyle had been helping other veterans who had returned from the war”(Ito 8). A common characteristic of heroes is selflessness. This is a prime example of this. Kyle knew what his fellow veterans went through because he went through it himself. This newspaper written by Robert Ito also used a certain diction in order to influence the reader and convince them that Kyle was a hero. The passage provides a quote from Kyle’s wife from after his death to use ethos towards the readers. In order to give more insight to Kyle’s character, Ito uses Kyle’s wife to tell readers that “He would catch me at any time of the day or night, at times where I just needed to cry or vent…that was a blessing, because he ended up getting so much more than either of us would have thought you needed for a movie”(Ito 11). This excerpt highlights aspects of Kyle that portrayed him as a hero and role model at this time. With the use of both specific examples of Kyle’s character and ethos this passage convinces the reader that Kyle was a hero.

The next source uses persuasive tools to convince the reader that Kyle is a heroic figure. This passage about the trial for the man who kills Kyle is crucial to the argument that Kyle is a hero. The readers have insight into how Kyle was perceived by his community by knowing how the community reacted to his death. The author also gives background information on the man who killed Kyle. Kyle was helping a veteran with diagnosed PTSD one day. On their way to a shooting range, the man shot Kyle. The author states that the man who killed Kyle “Held his girlfriend hostage with a knife, then proposed to her after his release from a hospital”(Fernandez 2). This information uses ethos to create a sense of sympathy for Kyle and his family. Because of this, the likeability that the readers have for Kyle increases. Fernandez also uses a quote from Kyle’s wife during the trial. To show the immense emotion in the room the author states. “‘Chris Kyle,’ she said after a long pause, choking back tears. Later, she said, ‘I’m sorry, I’m not nervous. I’m just emotional’”(Fernandez 13). Because she said this, the reader can infer that the jury and everyone in the courtroom understood her pain and had sympathy. She would not have said that she’s “emotional” if she didn’t think that people would understand. Everyone cared and had love for Chris Kyle and this quote supports that idea. 

The next two sources provide multiple details as to what Kyle did to be recognized as a hero to so many people. While on his four tours in Iraq, Kyle provided the military operations with a significant helping hand. His skill to aid in the war in Iraq did not go unnoticed. “He approaches his work with steady nerves and a clear conscience, banishing the doubt and fatalism that afflict some of his comrades and buttressed by the unambiguous depravity of his enemies”(Scott 5). Kyle set a high standard for snipers in the military all the way down to new enlisted members. Kyle gave the military his best efforts to support the United States and its allies in the war. This is what every military member should keep in mind when they live their lives day to day. The author also calls Kyle a “legend” because it is “one of the nicknames Chris earns from his admiring fellow servicemen, who are in awe of his bravery and skill”(Scott 7). Everyone recognized Kyle’s hard work and dedication when it came to his duty in the missions assigned to him. He went above and beyond to help his men in the fight in Iraq. This is not common in the military and when it happens, people want to commemorate it. 

The last source supports this fact even more. It gives readers specific data to show the immense power and skill that Kyle had. The source uses logistical persuasion to convince the reader that Kyle was a hero. When in Iraq, he was on “32 sniper-overwatch missions” and “personally accounted for 91 confirmed enemy fighters killed and dozens more probably killed or wounded”(Phillips 8). This is a very large number of kills for just one person. He had a great significance in the American force. Because of his focus and dedication, Kyle was awarded multiple decorations. Receiving an award in the military is not very common considering how many people are in the military. The author informs the reader that Kyle “was awarded one Silver Stars and three bronze stars with valor”(Phillips 3). Being awarded for great acts is something that has been done to heroes throughout history. This is exactly what is happening to Kyle at this point in time. This newspaper serves as a way for readers to be informed about the many successes of Chris Kyle, so that his name and story can live on from generation to generation. 

It is important to learn about heroes in the past and their great accomplishments in order to know how to shape and improve the future. Chris Kyle serves as a great example of a hero that performed acts that can be used now and in the future. Being able to research Kyle's life and his significance on the military and on America has shaped the way I look at life. Kyle signed up for the Navy because he wanted to protect our country, and that is exactly what he did. When you choose to do something, go do it wholeheartedly while surpassing expectations even though it may seem impossible.