Last Monday, Chad Littlefield would have celebrated his birthday with his wife, Leanne, and their daughter, Morgan.
But on Friday, his family and friends celebrated every year and every memory they had with him at his funeral at First Baptist Church of Midlothian.
“We came because we love them,” said Pam Harris, a friend of the Littlefield family. “Being strong through this — how you can you prepare for anything like this? They are just wonderful people.”
Littlefield was born in Dallas. He graduated from DeSoto High School, but he made Midlothian his home. He worked at DeSoto’s Eagle Labs, Inc.
“He’s generous,” said David Dickerson. “A good family man.”
Littlefield would go to his nephew’s baseball games in Palmer to cheer him on. Several players from the team came to the service to pay their respects.
Midlothian isn’t the only city in mourning.
“It’s devastating,” said Palmer coach Rusty Blakenship. “It’s a major blow to the community.”
More than 200 Patriot Guard Riders also came to honor Littlefield. The organization’s tribute is normally reserved for veterans.
Littlefield wasn’t one, but he died trying to help one.
“Because of the work he is doing with Chris Kyle, and the veterans coming back and having issues trying to acclimate themselves to the life as it is here, not life as it is over there,” said Carlton Emmons from the Patriot Guard Riders. “And, for that, we are thankful. We are very, very grateful.”

Chad was killed alongside his friend, Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, at a Texas shooting range on February 2, 2013 while trying to help a Marine who was suffering from PTSD.

GLEN ROSE, Texas — A former U.S. Navy SEAL who gained recognition during the Iraq War was one of two people fatally shot southwest of Fort Worth on Saturday.
Sources close to the investigation identified the former SEAL as Chris Kyle, 39, author of the New York Times bestselling book, “American Sniper.”

Kyle was shot point-blank while helping another soldier who was recovering from post traumatic stress syndrome, officials said. The murders happened at a shooting range near the town of Glen Rose, about 53 miles southwest of Fort Worth.

The Erath County Sheriff’s Office issued an alert for the arrest of the suspect, who was later identified as Eddie Routh, 25. Officials warned that Routh was traveling in a Ford F-150 pickup with large tires and rims. They said he was believed to be highly trained with military experience.
Routh was reportedly later captured in Lancaster, south of Dallas.

Investigators believe Routh, a former Marine, turned his weapon on Kyle and the second victim before fleeing the scene.
Officials said the second shooting victim, whose identity was not released, was a neighbor of the suspect. All three men lived in Midlothian, Texas.

“American Sniper,” which details Kyle’s 150-plus kills of insurgents from 1999 to 2009, was published in 2012. The book’s cover referred to Kyle as “the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history.” The sniper served in every major battle in Operation Iraqi Freedom and became so well known that the insurgents even had a bounty on his head. He served four tours of duty in Iraq and was wounded twice by gunfire.
Kyle was born in Odessa and was using a rifle at the age of eight, according to his book.

Kyle was married and had two children. He moved to North Texas after retiring from the Navy in 2009 and was president of Craft International, which provides training to military and law enforcement.

Recently, he also appeared as an “operative” on the NBC reality show Stars Earn Stripes, in which “celebrities are challenged to execute complicated missions inspired by real military exercises.”

RIP warrior!!! You will be missed!

SOC Kevin Houston was a member of the 31 who were aboard a Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan when it was shot down by enemy insurgents on August 6, 2011.

The 36-year-old native of Cape Cod had dreamed of becoming a Navy SEAL even when he was still a toddler.
Christopher Kelly of Osterville, whom Houston looked up to as a surrogate father, shared: “This is what he had always dreamed of doing.”

Kevin Houston finished high school at Barnstable High School, completed SEAL training in 1999, and eventually settled in Chesapeake. He served in the Navy for 16 years, and was the recipient of a Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars, among other decorations.

Kelly, remembered Houston as someone who cherished close relationships. He and Houston developed a unique friendship when the latter began dating his daughter. A few weeks before his death, Houston sent Kelly an American flag that he usually tucked under his body armor, with the note: “I hope you let her fly in the backyard and have a toast every now and then.”
Houston leaves behind his mother, a wife, and children. He is laid to rest at Arlington Cemetery.

A foundation has been established in Kevin’s honor by his mother, Janette. Please consider making a donation…
The Kevin Houston Legacy Fund, 1245G Cedar Road, #117, Chesapeake, VA. 23322.

When Navy SEAL Adam Brown woke up on March 17, 2010, he didn’t know he would die that night in the Hindu Kush Mountains of Afghanistan—but he was ready: In a letter to his children, not meant to be seen unless the worst happened, he had written, “I’m not afraid of anything that might happen to me on this Earth, because I know no matter what, nothing can take my spirit from me.”

Fearless is the story of a man of extremes, whose determination was fueled by faith, family, and the love of a woman. It’s about a man who waged a war against his own worst impulses and persevered to reach the top tier of the U.S. military. Always the first to volunteer for the most dangerous assignments, Adam’s final act of bravery led to the ultimate sacrifice.

This book teaser was produced by Ryan Welch at AOCREATIVE.COM.

Original video can be found at

NRA Life of Duty Presented by Brownells

“‘To be an American’ should move anyone who watches it to understand that we are not equipping our warriors with the most important tool of all … the knowledge that what they do is moral, honorable, ethical, just and pure. It is not what they see that unravels the heart … It is the struggle to justify that what they have done is just and unequivocally moral.” – NRA LOD Executive Producer, Rick Stewart

You can find the original video at

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What does it mean to be an American? It means freedom to start a business tomorrow if you choose to. It means freedom to live your life the way you choose. It means freedom to practice the religion of your choosing. Most importantly it means that you have these freedoms today because someone fought, bled or died to give these freedoms to you. It is our duty as American’s to make this vow… as long as there is breath in our bodies that the brave men and women that made their sacrifices for our freedoms will not be in vain. I am an American. You are an American. WE are Americans!!! United we will stand to continue defending our freedoms for the future!!!

by Travi Bissoon
On December 15, 2012 I had the honor of volunteering with Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetary. I didn’t really know what to expect, I only knew this was a free volunteer effort for those who wanted to participate. Every year Wreaths Across America places wreaths throughout many cemetery sites across the country, Arlington is the last stop right before the holidays. I researched online to find out when they’d place the wreaths there and flew out to DC the day before the event. When I arrived at Arlington the next morning, I was shocked! I’ve visited Arlington before, but this time was different. Thousands of people showed up to participate—even kids. It was so overwhelming to see the mass of people who all made their way to volunteer, pay respect, and honor America’s fallen. After the opening ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, each volunteer was handed two wreaths. We placed over 1,500 beautifully made wreaths on the headstones, then we saluted and thanked them for their service and sacrifice. There were many families with many tears, each name on the headstones had a story. I was inspired to participate because I wanted to do something for our fallen this Christmas. I wanted to show my honor, respect, remembrance, but I gained so much more in return. This was my first experience volunteering for Wreaths Across America and I will continue as long as I can. The experience itself for me was very rewarding and humbling all the same. Placing those beautiful wreaths with the big red bow next to the white head stones was the least I could do for all they’ve done for us! So today, I encourage you to take a moment to celebrate our brave military men and women who fought for our country, those fighting now, and the lucky few who are able to spend this Christmas with their families.
Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Morrill Worcester, a Maine businessman began this effort in 1992.