Photographs by Christopher Boffoli
Story by Tracy Record
for West Seattle Blog
Before dying of cancer at just 45 a week and a half ago, Matt Durham helped plan his own formal line-of-duty memorial service, according to one of his fellow Woodinville Fire and Rescue firefighters speaking at that service today.
“I want to do it for the boys,” Battalion Chief Greg Ahearn quoted Matt as saying – so that his young sons would see the support and the love showed by their father’s firefighter family, as well as that of their own relatives and friends.
That outpouring was overwhelming, as hundreds of firefighters from more than 30 departments all over the state joined hundreds of other mourners this afternoon at Overlake Christian Church, following the family’s escorted procession from their West Seattle home.
As shown here this morning, that procession went under two fire trucks’ crossed ladders – and as it arrived at the church campus in Redmond, a similar sight at the entrance, this time with a huge flag between the ladders:
After passing under that flag, Matt’s family and others drove by dozens of fire engines and medic units lining a driveway – a “static procession,” as it had been described in the memorial-service announcement:
It was paralleled inside, with a Corridor of Honor: Overlake’s long hallway between entrance and sanctuary was lined on both sides by dozens of fire personnel, standing, silent, in their dress uniforms, lining both sides. Matt’s wife Elaine Croce Durham and their sons Jack and Sam, along with other members of the Durham and Croce families, walked by:
Those personnel stood in place as other mourners arrived, then finally filed into the front of the sanctuary before the service began:
The service was full of symbolism and tradition, from bagpipes to bell-ringing, from an honor guard to a flag presentation, but it also honored Matt’s well-rounded life beyond firefighting, including his side career as a photojournalist and his love of hobbies including fishing and fitness. At stage left, his bicycle and helmet rested near a display of photos and fire gear:
Ahead – some of the words of the service, and more of the stirring images:
The first speaker was Chaplain Christy Dunn, who recalled posting inspirational quotes on Matt’s Facebook page during his three-month cancer fight – a place where he himself often posted no-nonsense, no-secrets updates about what was happening, including the jolting announcement of the diagnosis last September.
The chaplain said Matt had voiced appreciation for the quotes she shared, pronouncing the quotes “not too fluffy … practical … something I could actually use.” Quotes like one from Winston Churchill: “If you are going through hell, keep going.” And from Dr. Seuss: “Don’t cry because it’s over – smile because it happened.”
Some of those smiles came as Elaine Durham’s sister Lauri Croce read the family eulogy written by Matt’s father Corky Durham. It recounted the high-school interest in sports that led him into a “lifelong pursuit of strength,” as well as the Bay Area bait-shop job – dealing with a colorful clientele described in the eulogy as a “human zoo” – that led him to a love of fishing.
He had grown up in the Bay Area, and that’s where he met his wife-to-be, at San Jose State University, where he studied photojournalism. Many of his photos were displayed in a section of the video tribute that followed – under the banner “Life through a lens” – including one published here on WSB in 2007 that evoked what all described as his memorable laugh, and unfailing sense of humor:
Later in the video, there was an image (published here in 2008) that, in the service’s context, matched the solemnity of the formal proceedings:
The formal tribute stirred emotions in so many ways – such as the music of the Eastside Firefighters Pipes and Drums, including “Amazing Grace” as well as, at two points, a slow drumbeat evoking the beating of a heart:
Words such as “courage” and “perseverance” appeared in the remarks of so many. And tributes came from the highest of levels: State Fire Marshal Chuck Duffy read a letter from Governor Chris Gregoire: “Matt’s wonderful example of selflessness will serve as inspiration for generations to come.”
That example was commemorated with special presentations and honors, from the Washington State Association of Fire Chiefs, the Washington State Council of Firefighters, and the International Association of Fire Fighters. Since the cancer that killed him was considered job-related, Matt qualified for honors including a brick on the National Fallen Firefighters’ Walk of Honor, and the IAFF Line of Duty Death Medal. His is the 1,782nd presented since the medal was created in 1990.
Memories and words of praise and reassurance were shared by Woodinville’s Fire Chief David Daniels, who noted that Matt was born on Valentine’s Day, an appropriate date since “Matt loved life.” He assured Matt’s sons and widow that they are “part of a large and proud family. … We stand with you; know that we will never forget him.”
The chief’s remarks ended as he turned to face the centerstage table that held the urn, and said: “Firefighter Durham, you are officially released from duty.”
That was the first of three end-of-watch moments in the service. The others followed the silent flag ceremony, with a flag ceremonially held over the urn – then formally folded, and presented to Matt’s family by Fire Chief Daniels:
Firefighters James Baca and Pat Imboden followed with the bell ceremony:
Their words spoke of a firefighter’s goals” “… Protect lives, protect property, sometimes at terrible cost. This is what we do; this is our chosen profession.” And an explanation of the tradition of bell-ringing, “summon(ing) brave souls to fight fires … (and to) signal the completion” of that fight … remembering one who had “selflessly given his life for the good of his fellow man.”
For the completion of Matt’s fight, three rings of the bell, three times:
And then, over the speaker, the voice of a NORCOM dispatcher, calling three times for Firefighter Matt Durham … finally concluding, “No contact” … and a pause before the dispatcher’s voice added “You may be gone, but never forgotten,” noting his end of watch at 1400 hours (2 pm) on December 30th.
As the retiring of colors concluded the service, and the hundreds of firefighters walked back up the aisles and out of the sanctuary, their badges could be seen, marked with the black ribbon of mourning. And outside the church, Woodinville Engine 34 – staffed by Matt and crew – bore the same symbol:
Remembrance donations are being accepted by the Woodinville Firefighters Benevolent Fund, P.O. Box 652, Woodinville, WA 98072, by the “Matt Durham Family Trust” at any Bank of America, or online at donate1dollartostopcancer.com. *Next photo courtesy WFR.
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