Flower Mound considers honoring American sniper Chris Kyle

A new councilman in Flower Mound suggested the town honor the widow of an American veteran whose life was cut short after he returned to his home state of Texas.

Itamar Gelbman (Place 5) initially proposed the town offer the keys to the town to Taya Kyle, wife of Chris Kyle, in recognition of her late husband’s service.

According to Gelbman, Chris Kyle saved people who are Flower Mound residents during combat, and also when he returned to Texas and worked with veterans suffering from PTSD. He said Taya Kyle would like to be honored this way.

The town did not have any type of special event commemorating Memorial Day this past year, Councilman Brian Rountree (Place 1) said. He supports Gelbman’s suggestion.

“I think some sort of proclamation or recognition of some sort would be a good thing,” he said. “Chris Kyle is on record as saving thousands of American lives … that’s a different category of beast than veterans.”

Rountree was referring to current or former service members who have not died during combat.

Some of the recent outgoing town council members were given key to the town, Rountree said.  Mayor Tom Hayden said he wasn’t aware the the key to the town had even been given out.

“Recognizing people that have served in the military is an awesome thing,” Hayden said, adding that there are town residents who have served in the armed forces as well.

Hayden suggested inviting Taya Kyle to be the grand marshal for the town’s Christmas parade.

Gelbman said he and town staff searched for information about fallen veterans from Flower Mound but were only able to come up with one name.

“I don’t think anybody on council is going to have an issue with recognizing fallen soldiers,” said Councilman Steve Dixon. “I would like staff to find Flower Mound [veterans] who have given their lives … I would like to recognize them also.

“I mean, who hasn’t heard of Chris Kyle? I think bringing the attention that the Kyle family would bring to this in honoring their family member as well as Flower Mound family members, I think that would put a cherry on top of this gift for their ultimate gift that they gave,” he said.

Gelbman and Town Secretary Theresa Scott will work with Taya Kyle’s staff to determine a date when Kyle and other veterans could be recognized with a proclamation at a town meeting.