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Happy Bruce Lee Day, Capitol Hill

Your U.S. Representative for Washington's 7th congressional district, Jim McDermott knows how to celebrate Bruce Lee Day

Your U.S. Representative for Washington’s 7th congressional district, Jim McDermott knows how to celebrate Bruce Lee Day

In celebration of a new exhibit at the International District’s Wing Luke Museum, the City of Seattle has proclaimed October 3rd as Bruce Lee Day.

Bruce Lee, you probably know, is an eternal resident of Capitol Hill. He and son Brandon Lee are buried together in Lake View Cemetery near Volunteer Park. We noted the 40th anniversary of the elder martial arts great on CHS last summer. And we should note that he has been an occasional contributor on the site.

The Lee gravesite is worth a visit to add a northern stop to your Capitol Hill cultural landmark collection. Getting there on foot is unfortunately difficult from the area around Volunteer Park. There is no western sidewalk along the cemetery on 15th Ave E so you’ll need to brave a mid-curve crossing or take a stroll on the shoulder. CHS has asked the city about the prospects for a gate between Volunteer Park and the cemetery. Last time we asked, parks referred us to the private cemetery operators. The cemetery operators sent us to parks.

As for the new exhibit, the Seattle Times calls Wing Luke’s showing “a rare, personal glimpse of Bruce Lee’s Seattle years.” With the Hill’s growing connection with the ID thanks to the coming soon First Hill streetcar, consider giving our neighbors a visit this weekend. And tell parks to build a gate to visit Bruce from Volunteer Park.

Visitors to the Lee grave on the 40th anniversary of the martial arts legend's death in summer 2013 (Image: CHS)

Visitors to the Lee grave on the 40th anniversary of the martial arts legend’s death in summer 2013 (Image: CHS)

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Gracie
9 years ago

OMG, McDermott looks like a pregnant bumblebee.

Binky
Binky
9 years ago

I don’t get the issue with its being “difficult” to get to the cemetery? You simply walk down the side of the street with a sidewalk and then cross the street when you get to the cemetery gates. It’s not terribly hard.

Yes, a gate would be nice (though I’d feel safer on the street than walking thru Volunteer Park, esp on an overcast day), but it isn’t hard to get into the cemetery from the street.