Tribute pays homage to Idaho's heroes

SANDPOINT — Air Force Capt. David Lyon always went the extra mile for his friends, family, teammates and country.

It was why he joined the U.S. Air Force following high school. It was what landed him in Afghanistan last year. And it was what ultimately led to his death in December when his vehicle was hit by an explosive device.

Lyon’s sacrifice, along with that of 66 other Idaho soldiers, was honored during a Sept. 11 ceremony in Boise Thursday morning that included Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter and Lt. Gov. Brad Little reading the names of each individual.

Jeannie and Bob Lyon, the parents of David Lyon, flew down to Boise Wednesday night to attend the solemn tribute. It was the second time in under a month they traveled to the state capital for a tribute to their son, the first being a symphony held in his honor about three weeks ago. With school just under way for Jeannie Lyon, a Sandpoint Middle School teacher, it was a tricky time to travel, but the family made it a priority.

“The kids were very understanding about it,” she said.  

The morning of Sept. 11, a solemn occasion no matter where one might be in the U.S., was especially thick with emotion as the Lyons arrived at the old Ada County courthouse for the ceremony. As members of the Gold Star Families, families of soldiers killed in the line of duty since the Civil War, the Lyons joined dozens of others in honoring their fallen loved ones. Many of them the Lyons already knew from other official events and memorials.

“It’s the kind of organization you hope you’ll never join,” Lyon said.

According to Lyon, the path toward the seating area was lined with 67 flags, one for each soldier being honored, and biographies posted along the way. The Lyons took the time to read each one before taking their seats in the front row.

Provided specially for the event was a beautiful brass bell, Lyon said. As Otter and Little proceeded to read the list of names, the bell would strike a tone.

“Every time that bell would ring, someone behind me started crying,” Lyon said.

The name-reading was an extremely sobering experience, she added, and it impacted all who attended. Otter later gave the Lyons his well-wishes, and it was apparent the ceremony had not been an easy one, she said.

“He said to me, ‘I can’t even talk right now,’” Lyon said.

As difficult as the tribute was, it served an important role, she added. With 67 Idaho military personnel lost since the Sept. 11 attacks, the sacrifice of men and women in uniform deserves to be acknowledged by all throughout the country.

“I think it’s really important to remember that one man can make a difference — David has — and that anyone can be a leader,” Lyon said.