The members of American Legion Fred Hancock Post No. 19 on Tuesday dedicated a new memorial behind the Renton Senior Activity Center on Burnett Avenue that honors those who lost their lives at sea in service of their country.

“This marker stands as a permanent reminder to those who went down to the sea and never returned,” said post Commander Rod Haynes during his remarks.

Haynes, who served on a destroyer during his service, relayed the story of Fred Hancock, for whom the post is named. According to Haynes, Hancock was the first Renton resident to die in World War I when a German submarine attacked his troop transport, sinking the ship in the English Channel.

Haynes called the stone monument, which is dedicated to both civilians and serviceman who were killed at sea, a “lasting testament to the resiliency of human courage.”

“War causes universal pain, whatever the cause we may be fighting for or against,” he said. “Now we have a place to gather, a place to reflect.”

Haynes said the post plans to hold its future Memorial Day and Veterans Day services at the new monument.

During the dedication, Renton Community Relations and Events Coordinator sang “America the Beautiful” and Councilman Ed Prince made a few, brief remarks. A capella group The Father’s Four out of Kent closed the ceremony with “Eternal Father! Strong to Save.”