Oso shows its heart during ceremony honoring slide victims

OSO — The Sunday morning ceremony — short, direct and heartfelt — was vintage Oso.

It was a reunion of sorts and a milestone, too.

Six months had come and gone since the worst natural disaster in Snohomish County history.

Medics and firefighters from near and far, hobbled survivors and family and friends whose loved ones died in the massive March 22 mudslide gathered beneath a giant American flag. It was hoisted to the top of a tall, branchless tree that somehow had defied the wrath that devastated the valley.

They stood together on solid ground that once was an unforgiving swamp of mud, clay, trees and ravaged homes. It took four months, but the bodies of all 43 people who died that day were recovered.

Tim Ward, widowed and badly injured, walked with a cane through the wood chips and recently seeded soil. Near him was his loyal dog, Jeremiah, minus a hind leg taken by the slide. Ward thanked all of those who came to help his beloved community in the days, weeks and months afterward. He then led a prayer that spoke of renewal and a time in the afterlife when he and his neighbors will catch up with those they had so cherished.

Ron and Gail Thompson, his arm around her shoulder, wore black shirts with their old address — 30812 Steelhead Drive — stenciled in white letters on the back. They consider themselves fortunate. While they lost their house, they still have each other. The couple moved into a new home in Oso in July and they continue to try to help their displaced neighbors.

Dayn Bruner was there with his mother, Rae Smith, of Darrington. Summer Raffo — Bruner’s sister; Smith’s daughter — was swept 400 feet off Highway 530 as she drove to a horse-shoeing job in Trafton that morning. Her blue Subaru was swallowed up by the mud.

The landscape, so tamed by sun and heavy machinery a half year later, bears little resemblance to the morass where Bruner and his family searched for Raffo. He pointed to a maple tree on the periphery of the slide and the rebuilt highway as landmarks he uses to triangulate the spot where she was found.

“Every day gets a little better,” he said.

The search and the support his family received has helped him with his grief.

To his surprise, he hasn’t had nightmares, just one dream of a family get-together. Summer was there. It was nice to see her again.

Sunday morning was a time of hugs, handshakes and sharing memories.

In the crowd were a host of dignitaries, but no one — not the governor, congresswoman, state senator or county executive — spoke. It was not the time for speeches.

Willy Harper is the small-town chief of the volunteer Oso Fire Department thrust into a national spotlight after the slide.

“A reporter asked me what it feels like as we near the six-month mark,” Harper said Sunday. “I told her some days it feels like it has been 10 years and others 10 minutes.”

Later, he added, “We’ve learned many things in the last six months. One important one is to live each day to its fullest, appreciate what, and more importantly who, you have. All can be gone in an instant.”

At 10:37 a.m., the moment when the slide forever changed the valley, a color guard of firefighters in crisp ceremonial uniforms marched solemnly toward the tree where the flag moved limply in the waning summer breeze. They lowered it to half staff before raising it up again. A bagpiper played “Amazing Grace,” drowning out a rooster crowing in the distance.

Bellevue Fire Department Lt. Richard Burke was a part of the honor guard. He got to know Oso well last spring, lending a hand in the grim aftermath as searchers scoured the debris for bodies. He grew close to the rural community and the teams of volunteers trying to help.

“People ask me: What what the hardest day?” he said. “I tell them, it was the day I left.”

Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

People explore the expansion of the Tulalip Casino on Thursday, July 3, 2025 in Tulalip, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Tulalip casino expansion open to the public

The 70,000-square-foot addition displays a new design that will eventually span the entire casino.

Emilee Swenson pulls kids around in a wagon at HopeWorks' child care center Tomorrow’s Hope, a job training program for people interested in child care, on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021 in Everett, Washington. HopeWorks is one of the organizations reciving funding from the ARPA $4.3 million stipend. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
New report highlights child care challenges in Snohomish County

Child care is too expensive and hard to find for families, the report showed. Providers are also struggling with burnout and high turnover.

Edmonds mayor names candidate for next police chief

If the City Council approves Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins’ appointment on Tuesday, she will begin her term as chief Aug. 1.

Trump’s policy bill clears Congress after House quells revolt

The final vote, 218 to 214, was mostly along party lines.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.