Community gathers to honor Lyon

SANDPOINT — As he walked into a coffee shop, the man turned around and asked why everyone was downtown, why there were so many flags.

“We lost one of our own in Afghanistan,” someone in the crowd lining First Avenue called out. “We’re welcoming his family home. We want them to know we love him. We want them to know we’re here for them.”

Several thousand Bonner County residents did just that Saturday as they turned out en masse — packing First Avenue, Cedar Street and the Long Bridge — to show their support for the family of Air Force Capt. David Lyon, who died Dec. 27 in Afghanistan when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device.

Lyon was buried Wednesday in the Air Force Academy cemetery and his family was returning home from his funeral service.

Friends and community members wanted to do something to let Lyon’s family know how much he meant to people and how appreciative they are of his service. Word of the planned tribute spread quickly via social media and word of mouth.

Local veterans groups got involved. Soon, Boy Scout troops made plans to line the Long Bridge and form an honor guard. The Sandpoint Lions spread out throughout the downtown and along the bridge to share their flags. Homemade signs, from a simple “Bless You” to “David Lyon: Hometown Hero, Always Remembered. Never Forgotten.”

From kindergarten through high school, her daughter was classmates with David Lyon. And, like Lyon, her daughter joined the military. Not attending Saturday’s tribute wasn’t an option for her, Kay Peterson said.

“This is what Sandpoint does,” she said. “We’re here for each other.”

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Jayne Sturm, who taught Lyon as a young student, was among a strong Northside Elementary contingent that turned out for the tribute. There was no other place to be Saturday, she said.

“It’s the least we could do,” added her husband, Don Sturm.

The Lyon family has given a lot to Sandpoint and has been involved in everything from school activities to sports to 4-H, Jayne Sturm said.

It’s only right that they know they are in the community’s hearts, minds and prayers; that they are, she added, family.

“And family comes first,” added friend Diane Ellis.

Lyon was a man of great action but few words, Jayne Sturm said.

“He had great leadership but with a quietness and humbleness about him,” she added. “If you were around him, you just wanted to work hard because he was.”

But then, she paused. “Every once in a while, if he’d let it out, he had a cute little chuckle.”

He was a quiet, mild man with “every quality you desired in a kid,” added Ellis.

It was clear early on that Lyon was a special person, said Crosby Tajan, who coached the Sandpoint native when he played on the offensive line for the Bulldogs. You just had to tell him something and he’d do it — and do it well.

“He was a big part of our football program,” Tajan said. “He was just a great kid.”

Tajan and his wife, Morgan, brought their daughters Willow and Tacey, to the tribute, claiming a corner at First Avenue and Bridge Street. Being a part of the tribute allows them to pay their respects to his parents, Jeannie and Bob Lyon, as they arrive home from attending their son’s funeral in Colorado.

“This is the next best thing to doing this for him,” he added.

Among those attending Saturday’s tribute were Bob and Kristie Surprenant, whose son Ethan Martin was killed Koragay, Afghanistan, in August 2012 when his unit was struck by enemy small-arms fire. They said the community’s outpouring of support for their son meant a great deal and wanted to return the favor.

“It’s the least we could do,” Bob Surprenant said.

She will always remember her friend and classmate, said Katie Lippi, who drove up from her home in Spokane to attend Saturday’s tribute and plans to return next week for a community memorial service.

“We wanted to support David and his family and let them know we’re here for them,” Lippi said.

“And that we love them all very much,” added her mom, Pam Lippi.

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