Ultimate Sacrifice

Annie Love Photo

                                     

        ~~Dave was the epitome of a ‘warrior and winner’.”~~

Full news story: http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9468715#editor/target=post;postID=4700288666030864260

Another sad time in Sandpoint as the community has learned that one of its own has paid the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan.

Capt. David Lyon (Lissy), a 2008 graduate of the Air Force Academy and holder of several Academy athletic records,  died Dec. 27 in Kabul when an explosive device detonated near his convoy.  

Ten troops---including NATO and Afghan soldiers---died in the attack.

David's death touches scores of admirers both near and far.  

The news spread quickly yesterday afternoon to Facebook walls of his classmates from Sandpoint High School, including his friend former Army Sgt. Brandon Adam, now of Colorado Springs, who survived a similar attack in Iraq, losing both legs.

From high school classmate Ashley Tate:  I met David in 7th grade in Mr. Swerin's science class. The first week of school a bee stung my right thumb on the way in from lunch. David saw I was having trouble holding a pen and offered to take notes for me. Very kind, very courteous, and one of the nicest guys I've ever come across.

Many of us watched David grow up here in Sandpoint. We also watched his mother Jeannie grow up in this community.  

Jeannie's parents were well known as her mother Imogene taught business courses at Sandpoint High School.  

Before serving as the Bonner County livestock extension agent, her dad Raynold taught FFA and vocational agriculture at Sandpoint High School. 

These days, and for several years, Jeannie Lyon has served as a much beloved teacher at Sandpoint Middle School.  I can tell you from personal experience that his step-father is a kind and wonderful gentle man. 

There are no words that can adequately express the depth of this loss---just hearts filled with painful sadness for David and his family. 

I join the multitude who send condolences to the family and the friends whose hearts are aching at this time.   

And, I thank David for his service and sacrifice for our country.