The Last Punisher: A SEAL Team THREE Sniper's True Account of the Battle of Ramadi (39 page)

Seeing Chris off.

On the roof with one of my SMP Jundhis after a firefight. (Notice the holes in wall from incoming rounds.)

The only time Charlie Platoon got together for a picture.

Chris and I at the awards ceremony following our Ramadi deployment.

Hanging out with Clint Eastwood in Morocco on the set of
American Sniper.

Warner Bros.

Debriefing a take with Bradley Cooper and his stunt double, former Army Ranger Mike Trisler.

Jeff Habberstad

T
HIS BOOK WOULD
not have been possible without the men and women I served with during my time in the Navy. Thank you to all of my brothers at TU-Bruiser, Charlie and Delta Platoons, and the Naval Special Warfare community. Each one has been an influence on me and I wouldn’t be where I am now without them. Also, I would not have arrived home safely had it not been for the SEALs, Rangers, soldiers, airmen, and Marines that I had the honor of working with. Thank you.

First and foremost, I want to thank my wife and coauthor, Lindsey. She has been an inspiration from the day I met her and has continually made me better. This book would not have been possible, nor as impactful, without her. I would like to thank my children—they only screamed part of the time while I was writing this. I hope this book allows them a glimpse into my previous life and serves as inspiration to know that anything is possible.

Thank you to my parents and my brothers Mark and Mike, who
have always believed in me from day one. Thank you to my in-laws and family, who have welcomed me from day one and have supported Lindsey and me unconditionally.

To Mommalee, Maya, and the Lee family: your love and support have been as solid as the day our paths crossed. Wayne, Deby, and Jeff Kyle, you have always known how great a friend Chris was to me. You all are family.

Thank you to Ethan Rocke for spending countless hours working with me. I appreciate the sacrifices you made and I enjoyed our time together. Most of all, I appreciate your friendship. Alec Shane, my agent and fellow Xavier graduate, we did it. To Natasha and the entire Team at Simon & Schuster, thank you for reinforcement and guidance. Don Epstein and Greater Talent Network have elevated my career and I am very grateful. Monique Moss and Integrated PR, thank you for all your help.

Thank you to Lieutenant Guy Budinscak for your help in preparing this manuscript. Your help has been instrumental. To my fellow Frogmen who assisted in the process: Tanner, Bito, Gilby, Biggs, B-Dub, KPM, Maro, and the rest of 246, you know who you are, and your loyalty is steadfast. Thank you, Tony, for being a wicked chum.

Thank you, Scott McEwen, for your friendship and mentorship over the past several years. I have appreciated your advice and watching you do great works in the community.

Dave LeMay, thank you for your friendship, inspiration, and patience during the writing process. My partners at Lifestyle & Performance Medicine powered by Regenesis, John McInnis, Dave LeMay, and Cameron Price: thank you for believing in me. Your trust has never wavered. John Peacock was instrumental in developing my passion for charity and has been a great friend. Joe Branciforte, Chris Monnes, and Alex Strekel have helped me raise money for the Chris Kyle Memorial Benefit and have supported me since high school.

The Wake Forest School of Medicine’s Physician Assistant Program
offered me admission to their prestigious school and I am forever grateful. To the American Academy of Physician Assistants, I hope my story will inspire other veterans to join our ranks.

Michaela Harr, Andrew Kilgen, Kyle Hendrickson, and Jason Wilson, thank you for your help with this cover. Also, a big thanks to Richard Schoenberg for the usage of his photographs and a decade of friendship and advice.

Adam Young, thank you for promoting me to tell my story when only a few would listen. Thank you to Denny Southern and Scott Braddock for being there at the beginning and having the vision. Thank you to Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-08) for your friendship. Thank you, Dave Janice, for your generosity and friendship.

To the many supporters, both here and abroad, who have journeyed with me this far: thank you. Your encouragement is appreciated.