SEATTLE, Wash. — No one knew Emil Fredreksen was buried at the Evergreen Washelli cemetery until four weeks ago -- when a military historian called the cemetery to deliver the incredible news.
"To have another [Medal of Honor] in our care is just so exciting," said Brenda Spicer, cemetery manager.
Spicer got the telephone call that the man buried in the cemetery since 1950 received the military's highest honor more than a century ago, and no one here knew it.
"He said, ''You guys have a Medal of Honor in your cemetery,' " said Spicer. "And I kind of responded with, 'Yes, I know, we have six of them. And he said, 'No, you have another one.' And I said, 'OK, tell me a story.'"
Fredreksen was on board the USS Bennington in 1905 in San Diego, California, when a boiler exploded;He jumped in to help save his fellow sailors;Sixty-six sailors died that terrible day, and another 46 were badly hurt.
For their valor, Fredreksen and 10 other crew members were awarded the Medal of Honor.
"This was as a disaster on the scale of 9-11/11 for our country in 1905," said Skip Dreps, vice president of the Northwest Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Dreps sits on the board of advisors for the Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
"So remembering the Bennington," he said. "Remembering Emil. Remembering our history and being proud to say we have seven medal of honor recipients that are buried here. A Medal of Honor recipient coming today, with six flag officers, on a beautiful day like today. It must be Good Friday."
The honor guard fired off a 21 gun salute; while a lone trumpeter played taps.
With all the honor Fredreksen was due, a wrong was finally made right.
By the time, Fredreksen died, his wife was dead, and no one who was alive remembered his heroism;But that changed Friday when strangers took the time to honor a hero.
Cox Media Group
