Support for ex-SEAL stretches miles

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) - A tribute to a military hero went for miles across Texas this morning. People lined the highway, showing respect for Chris Kyle, a former Navy SEAL who was killed at a Texas gun range earlier this month.

His funeral procession started this morning in Midlothian and traveled nearly 200 miles south to Austin. All the way, people lined IH-35.

That scene played out in Round Rock. Along the FM 3406 overpass, hundreds of people showed up Tuesday morning, waiting to watch the funeral procession pass through.

As the skies cleared, so did the southbound lanes of I-35, making way for the funeral procession for Chief Petty Officer Chris Kyle.

Led by police and the Patriot Guard, the procession moved south, with a long line of cars following.

William Boiles was standing along the overpass to watch. He served in both Iraq and Afghanistan and came out to honor the former Navy SEAL.

"Any veteran that falls, I try to do what I can to support them in any way I can," Boiles said.  

Hundreds more did the same. All along the roadside and sidewalks and medians, people were waving flags, taking pictures, saluting, saying prayers--just showing up to show they care.

"We're thankful for what he did," said Erica Pedeville, "It's hard to see, and we just want to come out and support."

Pedeville's husband is serving in Afghanistan. She showed up Tuesday with her friend Brianne Brown, whose husband is also serving overseas. The two hope the outpouring of support comes as comfort to CPO Kyle's wife and entire family.

"They sacrificed so much with him being deployed so many times and being away from family," Brown said, "It's just really difficult to even fathom what she's going through."

People started lining up as early as 10:00 this morning in Round Rock. The procession passed through just before noon.