Flower Mound resident turns childhood dream into tribute to America’s heroes

Growing up, Flower Mound resident Tyler Donovan loved playing with plastic green Army men just as much as the next kid. He’d deploy hundreds of his soldiers out across the living room floor or in the yard, line up opposing forces and snipers, establish intricate bunkers, trenches, and bases made of toy blocks, sticks or books, and create elaborate battle scenes fit for a Hollywood film.

From there, he’d let his imagination run wild—complete with pew pew and boom sound effects and commands like “Take cover!”

“I even remember shaving my head high-and-tight style as early as 6th and 7th grade,” Tyler, 38, said with a laugh. “I also played paintball and military video games—I loved it and dreamed of one day joining the Army.”

Clearly, Tyler had the heart of a future soldier. But his applica