Chris Kyle is a hot topic lately. Ever since the release of American Sniper, the Clint Eastwood-directed film about Chris Kyle’s life starring Bradley Cooper, Americans have been tossing out their opinions about the man and the film.

Chris Kyle was considered the deadliest sniper in United States history. Many consider him a patriot and a hero. Some have spoken disparagingly of the film that talks about Chris Kyle. Bill Maher, Michael Moore, and Noam Chomsky are among those who have derided the film.

Todd Palin, husband of failed VP candidate Sarah Palin, knew Chris Kyle. Chris Kyle worked for a while as Sarah Palin’s personal bodyguard. But he also worked with Todd on a celebrity program called Stars Earn Stripes. On the program, celebrities competed in military training competitions to raise funds for charities that help American troops.

Among the celebrities that trained for that program were Todd Palin, Olympic gold medalist Picabo Streets, Nick Lachey, Laila Ali, Terry Crews, Dean Cain, Dolvett Quince, and Eve Torres.

Recently, Todd Palin said of Chris Kyle.

“And then it was an honor for me and others to participate in Stars Earn Stripes with Chris and others in the military. You can have a conversation with somebody but until you’re side-by-side in the trenches with somebody, then you really know somebody. These guys, being a sniper, being out ahead of his unit and saving lives, Chris was just a good man, an expert in his field and he was one heck of a teacher.”

Palin also spoke about his own personal experience as the father of a military man.

“As father and mother, Sarah and I witnessed our son [Track] go through boot camp. It’s just an unbelievable process. You have an 18-year-old go down to boot camp and then you go down there a few months later when they graduate from boot camp and they’re just mentally strong, physically strong and have all the respect in the world for their drill sergeant because their drill sergeant is right next to you climbing up that mountain or running the five miles. But it just shows years of training, dedication and protecting freedom and liberty. That’s the motto of our military.”