First Look At Chris Kyle's Monument In Austin

Breaking News More () » local First look at Chris Kyle's monument in Austin First look at Chris Kyle's monument in Austin at the Texas State Cemetery Chris Kyle's planned gravestone. Author: KVUE Staff Published: 10:41 PM CDT May 1, 2015 Updated: 10:41 PM CDT May 1, 2015

AUSTIN -- More than two years after he was shot and killed outside of Dallas, former U.S. Navy Seal Chris Kyle's grave is the most visited grave site at the Texas State Cemetery where he was buried in Austin, yet all that marks Kyle's grave right now is a small place card with his name on it.

According to Scott Sayers, chairman of the Texas State Cemetery Committee, a family has up to two years to place a permanent marker on the grave. However, waivers can be granted if requested, and Sayers said the committee isn't concerned that Kyle's marker has not been installed yet, even if it is past the deadline.

Gilbert Beall, the artist creating Kyle's permanent grave marker, said often, it can take a family several years to decide what they want on a monument and to decide how it will look. In Kyle's case, Taya Kyle and Beall met shortly after Kyle was killed to begin working on his monument.

Beall said right away, Taya knew she wanted to use emerald pearl granite, a green granite that can appear black depending on the time of the day.

Initially, they discussed doing a three-dimensional bronze cast of Taya's hands, her son's hands and her daughter's hands on Taya's side of the marker. However, ultimately they decided to do an inlay of the three sets of hands, "so people can walk up and put their hands on her hands," said Beall.

In the center of the monument will be a carved Navy SEAL trident and the words "God. Country. Family." On the left side under Chris' name will be a bronze relief of Kyle in his military combat uniform, an image Beall worked for months to perfect.

"It's more than just working from the photos," said Beall, who used a model and former active duty combat veteran to wear clothes and equipment like Kyle wore in combat.

Specifically, the model wore a scarf around his neck like Kyle was known for always wearing and a bulletproof vest. The scarf and vest will be a part of Kyle's relief.

One thing missing from Kyle's relief? Facial hair, despite the many pictures of Kyle with it.

"He doesn't have the beard. His wife liked him better clean-shaven," said Beall.

On the back of the monument, which is within the Texas State Cemetery's requirements to be a maximum of six feet tall and seven feet wide, is a cross under the name "Kyle" etched on the top.

On the bottom of the middle section in the back is an excerpt from Chris and Taya's wedding vows: "I will love you and show you my love all the days of my life."

Beall admits this monument has taken him longer than usual but he said it should be complete and installed by the end of May.

For now, flowers and flags placed by visitors to Kyle's grave surround the place card with his name,

Once the gravestone is installed, it will be a lasting monument for a man known as the deadliest sniper in U.S. and military history.

To see some of Gilbert Beall's other well-known monuments at Texas State Cemetery, including Tom Landry's marker, click here.

Close Ad

To stream KVUE on your phone, you need the KVUE app.

Download the KVUE app

More Videos

Next up in 5

Example video title will go here for this video

• 

  Next up in 5

  Example video title will go here for this video

In Other News

Austin-area weather: February 20th Midday forecast with Meteorologist Jordan Darensbourg

Before You Leave, Check This Out