Community gathering to honor hometown hero
SANDPOINT — The community is banding together today to honor fallen airman Capt. David Lyon as his family returns home from his funeral in Colorado.
With the family expected to cross the Long Bridge into Sandpoint around 4 p.m., local school staff and potentially hundreds of other residents are organizing to give them a welcome befitting a hero. According to family friend Janna Hull, people will likely station themselves along the Long Bridge and downtown First Avenue and Cedar Street to show their support for the family and pay tribute to Lyon.
“The feedback I’ve gotten is just amazing,” Hull said. “I think (this tribute) is going to be huge.”
In keeping with Lyon’s sacrifice, the tribute is expected to be a sober and patriotic affair, Hull said.
People are encouraged to wear red, white and blue and bring posters, flags, candles, lanterns and other appropriate items to pay their respects. Many organizations, including the Boy Scouts and several veterans organizations, will be turning out to support the family as well.
The tribute is designed to provide options for everyone who wants to participate, Hull said.
Those who might have trouble getting to the Long Bridge pedestrian crossing can arrange themselves along the downtown streets.
Alternatively, anyone needing a ride to the Long Bridge can utilize a shuttle courtesy of the Lake Pend Oreille School District. Those wishing to take advantage of this should be at Sandpoint High School by 3:15 p.m. According to Hull, she is going to be in constant communication with the shuttle driver, the Lyon family’s driver and school personnel to try and coordinate the timing as succinctly as possible.
The Lyon family is arriving home from Colorado, where they laid their son to rest Wednesday near the United States Air Force Academy. They were supported by several individuals from Sandpoint who were close to David Lyon, including Sandpoint Middle School Principal Kim Keaton, Sandpoint High School Assistant Principal Tom Albertson and his family, the Roos family and Sandpoint High School Coach Santini Puailoa. More than 1,000 showed up to honor the fallen airman, and his family was presented with his honorary medals. According to Keaton, the memorial was an intensely emotional event.
“I can guarantee you one thing: I was so impressed with the military there and how they honored David,” Keaton said.
Lyon was killed in Afghanistan Friday, Dec. 27, after his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. His body was transported back to Colorado to be buried with full military honors in recognition of the service to his country.
“It was a great tribute to a young man I’ll always think highly of,” Keaton said.
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The David Lyon tribute to welcome back his family will take place today around 4 p.m. along the Long Bridge and downtown along Cedar Street and First Avenue.
A shuttle to the Long Bridge will be available near Sandpoint Middle School. Individuals should show up on school grounds by 3:15 p.m. to guarantee a ride.
Items like flags, candles and lanterns are encouraged.