The special speaker for the annual Trapper Days Veterans Memorial Program on May 26 has been announced. This year Brad Click was able to arrange for former United States Marine Jeff Kyle to speak. The festivities will include a motorcycle escort for Kyle from Payson to Taylor on Friday, May 25, that anyone in the community with a motorcycle can participate in.
Jeff Kyle is the brother of United States Navy Seal Chris Kyle who wrote his memoir, American Sniper. Clint Eastwood made a movie based on that memoir in 2014. Chris Kyle was the deadliest marksman in United States Military history. On Feb. 2, 2013, Chris Kyle was killed by a fellow veteran he was trying to help. Jeff Kyle was in the Marines from 2000-2008 and served with the third and fourth Marine divisions. Since leaving the military Jeff has been actively helping other veterans.
Organizers are looking for motorcycle riders to form a motorcade to escort Kyle from Payson to Taylor. The motorcycles will meet in Payson no later than 12 noon on Friday, May 25. The route for that escort will proceed through Heber and on into Show Low then back down Highway 277 to Taylor. Once in Taylor the motorcade will go past the Veterans Memorial Monument on Main Street and conclude at the Taylor Rodeo Grounds.
Anyone interested in riding their motorcycle to help escort Kyle should contact John Packer at Keep and Bear Arms gun shop at (928) 243-7738 or email john.packer70@gmail.com.
Trapper Days is held annually in the Town of Taylor on Memorial Day weekend. Activities include a Veterans Memorial Program, a tour of historic homes, food and entertainment.
