Saluting a hero

Monday, 25 February 2013 by Matthew Girard

Hundreds of Belton residents braved a chilly, rainy Tuesday morning to pay their respects to former Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle as his funeral procession passed through Belton on its way to Austin.

With American and Texas flags waving and numerous people saluting along overpasses and even along side of Interstate 35, Kyle's body was accompanied by the Department of Public Safety, the Patriot Guards and various law enforcement representatives.

Kyle, 38, was shot and killed at a shooting range in Erath County on Feb. 2. He was buried at the Texas State Cemetery.

He was the author of "American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History."

Belton residents lined the interstate as the funeral procession for Chris Kyle came through town on the way to Austin. The route, which started in Midlothian at around 8 a.m., covered about 200 miles and featured seven DPS cruisers, approximately 200 Patriot Guards, the hearse carrying Kyle's body and 7-8 charter buses carrying family and friends.

The Belton Police Department reported that the procession went smoothly with the exception of two motorcyclists that were apart of the Patriot Guard who went down near Tahuya Road. The procession was stopped briefly and Navy SEALs got off one of the buses and assisted with first aid. Several were transported to the hospital.

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