I read with interest a recent Facebook post from the Woodland Fire Department which commemorated the 133rd anniversary of the death of W.W. Porter.

It was a moving presentation at Porter’s graveside in the Woodland Cemetery, that included the playing of bagpipes by Sam and Trista Kennedy.

The last time The Daily Democrat reported on Porter’s death was July 2018 when it was the 126th anniversary.

To me, this begs the question of how we go about commemorating historic or moving events, particularly those during “off” years.

Porter died on July 1, 1892, and is the city’s only firefighter to die in the line of duty. He’s buried beneath a white, marble monument in the older portion of the cemetery off West and Cross streets.

Porter died during “The Great Fire” when a brick wall of the Opera House fell on him as he was trying to get others to safety. Sam Kennedy detailed Porter’s history in 2020, when the Fire Department celebrated its 150th anniversary.

Woodland celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2021.

Briefly told, the fire likely began with a misplaced cigarette butt, which quickly turned into a formidable flame in the back alley near a small barn by First Street and Dead Cat Alley.

Unsurprisingly, to me at least, was how little mention was made of the 133rd anniversary of Porter’s death. Maybe the 135th anniversary will draw more attention?

Think about it: We recognize the death of Davis Police Office Natalie Corona every year on Jan. 10. But she died in 2019, which is six years ago and while many (including me) remember her passing it doesn’t seem like much is made of the occasion publicly — except to police personnel and family.

Then there was the shooting death of Yolo Sheriff’s Deputy Tony Diaz in June 2008. Yearly, the Sheriff’s Office pays homage to Diaz, but it’s now been 17 years and beyond friends, family and colleagues, few seem to remember the events surrounding his murder.

Other examples: Winters City Marshal William Price, who was shot in the line of duty on Oct. 18, 1912, 113 years ago; Woodland Police Officer Laurence Sills, who died 80 years ago June 13, 1945, from injuries received in a motorcycle accident on June 1; CHP officers Roy Blecher and William Freeman, who were both murdered 26 years ago on Dec. 22, 1979, on Interstate 80 near the Yolo Causeway in West Sacramento.

CHP officer Andrew ‘Andy’ Stevens, shot and killed 20 years ago on Nov. 17, 2005, during a traffic stop just west of Woodland near the intersection of CR-96 and Hwy. 16, is remembered by CHP personnel with flowers placed on a sign near Hwy. 16 and CR-98.

I’m sure there are many other historically significant events locally we should recognize but don’t because they have “faded” through the years.

These local events make me think of more “worldly” occasions which I think in time will slip away. Think of D-Day on June 6, 1944. The 100th anniversary is “only” 19 years away and the “Greatest generation” is all but gone. There’s also VE Day on May 8, 1945, which is 20 years off. How will these events be remembered in the coming years, or 100 years from now?

And, of course, there’s Nov. 11, 1938, which was initially declared “Armistice Day” and later renamed Veterans Day. There are just 13 years before the 100th anniversary, and I wonder how many people will commemorate the occasion or remember what the “Great War” was all about.

Jim Smith is the former editor of The Daily Democrat, retiring in 2021 after a 27-year career at the paper.