CL man gets top Air Force honor

CRYSTAL LAKE – A Crystal Lake man selected for a prestigious military Air Force award was personally congratulated by U.S. Senator Roland Burris Monday.

Major David C. Lyons of Crystal Lake was honored for his "exceptional service" to the U.S. Air Force, according to a news release from Burris' office.

Lyons received the 2009 Lieutenant General Claire Lee Chennault Award, which is given to top aerial tacticians.  It's a high-ranking honor awarded by the Air Force Association. Lyons was nominated for the award by the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.

He's currently attending the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.