West Seattle, Washington
03 Sunday
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:
Two car-crime reports to share tonight. First one’s from Siobhan:
Last year on New Year’s Day morning, my little red Dodge Neon was stolen from its parking spot under my apartment building. Got it back on January 6th, which just happened to also be my birthday. THIS January 6th, I went downstairs to go to work to find my car missing its passenger-side window, a pile of glass on the ground, a brick on the drivers side floor and the hood of my car propped up with the the cables from my battery removed. They rummaged through my glove box and the middle console, but didn’t take anything. I never leave anything in my car.
This happened in the 35th Ave SW/Morgan St. area. I filed a police report. The officer said that they more than likely disconnected the battery to disable a car alarm and that the same thing had happened to a few other cars in the last few days just down the hill towards Fauntleroy/California. Just wanted to leave a heads-up to my neighbors.
And from Sam:
Hi, just wanted to let your blog know that last night I had two aftermarket offroad bumpers stolen. One was stolen off of my 4runner and one off my tacoma. Both vehicles were parked near Morgan junction. I’ve also had both catalytic convertors stolen from both of these vehicles in the last few months. Getting sick of it. Keep an eye out if you live in the area. Also if anyone sees two black tube bumpers for sale please contact the police.
Four times a day, the National Weather Service issues its “forecast discussion,” with a behind-the-scenes/crystal-ball-type look at what its meteorologists are seeing in the hours and days ahead. The newest one says snow showers are possible tonight/tomorrow, particularly on the highest hills, while also somewhat strengthening the possibility of serious snow around Wednesday of next week (though there’s still also caveats that with four days to go, things could change).
SUNDAY UPDATE, 5:20 AM: And indeed, the NWS’s “special weather statement” has just been updated to note the midweek uncertainty.
With the new year just one week old, resolutions are still fresh, and the future’s bright. Arbor Heights Elementary teacher Mark Ahlness mentioned his third-graders’ resolutions today via Twitter; after checking them out, we got his permission to share the link. Some are simple; some are big dreams, and not even on behalf of the resolution-makers. Writes Yadira:
My wish is that everybody can have a house. Because then if people have a house and it rains people won’t get wet. But if people don’t have houses people will get wet. So they have to have a house so the people don’t get cold.
Read them all here.
As Rick put it in his note sharing that photo, “a little color on a gray day.” The color is provided by the sails of the boats participating today in the Three Tree Point Yacht Club‘s 32nd Duwamish Head Race. More than 60 boats are participating, according to the club’s website. Here’s another look at a few of them, courtesy of Marty:
(SATURDAY EVENING NOTE: Our story and photos from this afternoon’s service will be up late tonight)
While the Eastside firefighters with whom Matt Durham worked announced a “static procession” at Overlake Christian Church before his memorial this afternoon, firefighters also have just shown their respect for the funeral procession leaving West Seattle. Thanks to Alli for the top photo – ladders were crossed over SW Alaska as the procession headed to The Bridge; thanks to Trina for this next photo, of a Seattle fireboat paying tribute from the Duwamish River by the bridge:
Matt died a little over a week ago at 45; in addition to his work as a firefighter, he also was a longtime photojournalist, and WSB was the last publication for which he worked. He also did volunteer work, and was a proud dad of 2. We’re on our way to the service and will have coverage later.
This Tuesday night, three West Seattle groups will meet jointly, with one hot topic on the agenda: The forthcoming West Seattle RapidRide “C Line” service. The groups are Junction Neighborhood Organization, Fairmount Community Association, and the West Seattle Junction Association, but you don’t have to be a member of one (or more) to attend, all are welcome. Reps from Metro and the city will be there to talk about routing, traffic, parking, and other effects of the new bus route. It doesn’t start running until fall 2012, but construction work for its stations/stops and other changes will start soon, and the planning work is about to hit a key phase. The meeting starts at 6:30 pm Tuesday at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon).
From left, Zoe, Darrian, Autumn, and Shawna will be happy to help you divest yourself of your drying-out Christmas tree today – get it out before the game! Till 2 pm, they’re at the Masonic Hall parking lot, 40th/Edmunds, for the West Seattle Rainbow Girls‘ fundraising tree-recycling event. $5 donation suggested. (Yes, you still have a couple more days for free city pickup or dropoff, but this is the only in-West Seattle dropoff event we know of!)
(Friday afternoon rainbow photo shared by Erik)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar page – among other sources:
SEAHAWKS FLYOVER FYI: Via Twitter, the team announced, “A pair of Navy EA-18G Growlers will conduct a flyover near the end of the national anthem on Saturday.” Military flyovers at the stadiums often go over West Seattle, so we’re sharing the heads-up. (The team’s playoff game vs. New Orleans starts at 1:30 pm.)
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR MATT DURHAM: The West Seattle photojournalist and Woodinville firefighter, who died of cancer nine days ago at 45, will be remembered at 1 pm today at Overlake Christian Church in Redmond, all welcome. Details including a map are here.
CHRISTMAS-TREE RECYCLING: Want to get rid of your tree before the (potential) snow? Today’s the West Seattle Rainbow Girls‘ recycling event, 9 am-2 pm, Masonic Hall parking lot, 40th/Edmunds. (Suggested donation $5.)
SCHOOL FAIR/OPEN HOUSES: There’s a school fair at SSCC 10 am-1 pm, plus Westside School (WSB sponsor)’s open house 1-3 pm – here’s our preview from last night.
ELVIS COMPETITION: Two West Seattleites in the Elvis competition in SODO tonight – full details here.
Those are just a few of the highlights. More on the calendar. As for the forecast – there’s a chance of snow showers tonight/tomorrow.
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