SEATTLE - The headline in the Seattle Star on February 18th, 1943, read "28 Killed by Plane Crash at Frye Plant."
Twenty-three-year-old Luther Bonner, who'd been a Seattle firefighter less than four months, became the 29th victim. He died while trying to save people from the fire.
"It was the largest loss-of-life fire in Seattle history," said current Seattle firefighter Dave Peery.
After reading about the fire, Peery went looking for Bonner's gravesite so he could pay his respects. Steve Maynock with Evergreen Washelli Cemetery noticed Dave out searching the cemetery grounds one day.
"I said, 'Is there anything I can do to help you?'" Maynock recalled. "And he said, as a matter of fact, there are a couple of people I can't find. And I was able to go back and do research and get him a map and tell him where they were."
There are several firefighters buried at Evergreen Washelli. Their graves are marked with the traditional maltese cross. But Luther's grave was not only covered in grass, it didn't identify him as a firefighter. In fact, his marker was intended to be temporary.
"It was just a marker so that we would know where that gravesite was," said Maynock. "And as Dave experienced, it grew over. We didn't even know there was a marker there."
Peery has tried to track down Bonner's family members, without any luck.
It turns out, at the time of Bonner's death, his young widow couldn't afford a grave marker. She moved away from Seattle immediately after her husband's death.
"To die that young with a family deserves more than an unmarked spot," said Peery.
So, with the help of Evergreen Washelli, Dave is seeing to it that a new, permanent grave marker is being ordered.
This one will reflect the faithful, fearless service of a firefighter who gave his life trying to save others.
"Anybody who dies in the line of duty certainly deserves the recognition of a marker. It's the least we can do," said Peery.
To add a comment, please register or login.