FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2024
Commissioners Issue Proclamation in Honor of National Guard Day
(Douglas County, Ore.) – The Douglas County Board of Commissioners issued a proclamation yesterday, Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at the Weekly Business Meeting calling upon all citizens of Douglas County to observe National Guard Day, in celebration of the National Guard‘s upcoming 388th Birthday on December 13, 2024. Commissioners were honored to recognize the men and women who bravely serve our communities and nation in the Army National Guard.
Before he read the proclamation, Board Chair, Commissioner Boice exclaimed, “This might be the BEST Commissioners meeting ever. Because for the first time, since I have been in office, we have nothing on the agenda other than to honor veterans.” He then read the proclamation on behalf of the Board and acknowledged, “We know that the U.S. National Guard is the oldest military organization in America and its members respond to state and national emergencies, military conflicts, natural disasters and also conduct search and rescue operations. We recognize that the U.S. Army National Guard is a reserve force of men and women who trace their roots back to Colonial America. Founded in 1636 as a citizen force, today the National Guard is a ready reserve group of 450,000 men and women voluntarily serving in all 50 states and four U.S. territories. We are especially proud to honor members of Roseburg’s Charlie Company unit, who represent Oregon National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment for the invaluable work they do.” A copy of the video presentation can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment.
In addition to deployments all over the world during war and conflict times, in recent years, the utilization of the National Guard has been unprecedented with members of the Oregon National Guard providing critical support to the state's COVID-19 response, assisting civilian law enforcement during periods of civil unrest, as well as assisting state and local governments during hazardous weather and wildfire response operations.
Commissioner Tim Freeman presented proclamation certificates to attending Oregon Army National Guard members from Roseburg’s Charlie Company, the Oregon Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, SFC Frank Rademacher ORARNG, SSG Bobbie Coolbroth ORARNG, SSG Wayne Niedert ORARNG, Cpt. Casey Coulter (Company Commander for Charlie Troop) ORARNG, Chris Gallager ORARNG, Preston Hash ORARNG, Sean Vary ORARNG, Travis Gregory ORARNG, as well as National Guard Family Readiness Group Coordinators, Carol Hunt (Wings of Love), Valerie West, and Cindy Houston (Wings of Love).
Captain Casey Coulter presented the Commissioners with framed artwork of the Oregon Army National Guard 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment colors and a Battalion challenge coin from the Battalion Commander that states: ‘Custodes Portae Occidentis’ which means ‘Guardians of the Western Gate.’
“My first experience with Charlie Company and the National Guard came in 2009, in my first term with the Oregon Legislature. There was a large deployment, and as Vice Chair of the House Veterans Committee I was honored to represent the Oregon legislature at deployment ceremonies in Salem, Eugene and Medford. One of the things that has stayed with me was the competence of the amazing men and women who were getting ready to go overseas to serve our country. But also, the incredible commitment and dedication the families of these soldiers have when they know that their loved ones are going to be gone and in harm’s way for a period of time. Please take this back to your families: “We thank them also for what they are doing to support you during your deployment as well as their commitment to this country. But we do want you to hear us say, “Thank You!” What you are doing is very important, it is honorable, and it is what makes our country great. Each and everyone of you make that commitment and from the Board of Commissioners we absolutely appreciate that commitment.” – Commissioner Tim Freeman.
The proclamation presented today is a reminder that the freedoms and liberties we enjoy as Americans owe a debt of gratitude to the courageous men and women who have and currently serve our nation in all divisions of our United States Armed Forces, including our reserves. Today and every day, we especially encourage citizens to honor and support the men and women proudly serving our communities in the Army National Guard.
###
Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov
Proclamation Attached. Photos © K.Trenkle/Douglas County.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2024
Douglas County Commissioners Issue Proclamation For Wreaths Across America Day
(Douglas County, Ore.) – The Douglas County Board of Commissioners issued a proclamation yesterday, Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at the Weekly Business Meeting calling upon all citizens of Douglas County to observe Wreaths Across America Day, in celebration of the Annual Wreaths Across America event on Saturday, December 14, 2024. The mission of Wreaths Across America is to “REMEMBER the Fallen, HONOR Those Who Serve and TEACH Our Children the Value of Freedom” with the laying of remembrance Christmas wreaths on veterans’ graves on the second or third Saturday of December of each year. The Commissioners are honored to support Wreaths Across America, especially the efforts of our local community in placing wreaths on veterans’ graves at the Roseburg National Cemetery.
The proclamation was presented by Commissioner Boice, on behalf of the Board and acknowledged, “we thank our local 2024 Wreaths Across America co-location coordinators, Shelley Johnson and the late John Pierson, who represent the Roseburg Sea Cadets and Military Honors by the Pipes. In December 2023, John inspired Douglas County Commissioners to help with his dream of laying a wreath on all 7,000 veteran graves at the Roseburg National Cemetery in 2024. A feat that had never been accomplished before in Roseburg. John’s story would not only inspire our Commissioners, but our entire community” Following the reading of the proclamation a video from the national Wreaths Across America nonprofit organization was played. The video explains why the wreath is a symbol of honor, respect and victory. Visit the following link to watch the video: What is a Veteran's Wreath? | Wreaths Across America Veterans' Wreaths. Additionally, a copy of the proclamation presentation can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment.
“For those of you that don’t know it was John’s dream to get these 7,000 headstones with a wreath in front of each one for the 2024 event. Commissioner Chris Boice took on that task and has spent the last year coordinating that mission. The annual laying of wreaths on veteran’s graves started in Roseburg in 1996 with Linda and Terry Mooney and the Patriot Guard. And in a variety of capacities, I have had the honor to attend and participate in most of them over the years. I often get thanked for my support of veterans, but I want to make it clear that all three Douglas County Commissioner support and honor our veterans. You can clearly see that support in today’s presentation,” stated Commissioner Freeman.
Commissioner Tim Freeman presented proclamation certificates to Wreaths Across America – Douglas County Co-Location Coordinator; Shelley Johnson (Roseburg Sea Cadets) and the local coordination committee consisting of Commissioner Chris Boice, Kellie Trenkle, Tamara Howell, Dan Loomis, Commissioner Tom Kress, Commissioner Tim Freeman and Dan Carver. Commissioner Freeman also recognized event participants, volunteers, schools and sponsors in attendance including Jim Little, Vietnam Veterans of America – Umpqua Valley Chapter #805, Rex Pierson, Heidi Wood, Ron Dukes, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff John Hanlin, Lt. Brad O’Dell, Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians, Tammy Turner, David Hopkins, Roger Boucock, Geneva Academy, Rick Scaipiti and Robert VanNorman. The presentation was followed by the playing of an emotional prerecorded video featuring the late John Pierson, the other Wreaths Across America – Douglas County Co-Location Coordinator.
“I served with the Air Force Rescue for eight years. In those eight years, I served, I flew, I deployed, and I became close friends with 10 men that were killed in the line of duty. That has been the thing that has kept me involved with veteran organizations and it got me started playing the bagpipes. Because I needed a way to honor those men that I served with, that was public and significant. I am passionate about WAA because of their motto. Their motto is Remember, Honor and Teach. Remembering the fallen, honoring all those that served, but the thing that grabs me is the thing that’s really important in this day and age is teaching the next generation the value of freedom. That to me is the message and reason to get involved and to make this event (Wreaths Across America) the event it needs to be. I want to thank this County. Douglas County, Oregon has a tremendous veteran community. I am very, very fortunate to live in a community that enjoys and respects and honors the veterans in the way that we do. And for the kids to see this, to see this outpouring of appreciation for our veterans should be a great lesson plan for understanding that we have an incredible country here. The foundations of this country are extremely important. By teaching the next generation the value of freedom. Hopefully that will keep the greatness of this country going. I hope that it will,” - the late John Pierson, USAF veteran. 1948-2024.
The proclamation presented today is a reminder that the freedoms and liberties we enjoy as Americans owe a debt of gratitude to the courageous men and women who have and currently serve our nation in all divisions of our United States Armed Forces, including our reserves. Today and every day, we especially encourage citizens to support the local Wreaths Across America effort to honor our veterans. For more information about Wreaths Across America, log onto the Wreaths Across America 's website here.
“John approached me several years ago, as the Commander of the Roseburg Sea Cadets to have our Sea Cadets be part of raising funds for the wreaths. That was my initial interaction with John and he very quickly, as many of you know, became a really good friend. John has a way about him of getting you to say yes to him to any of his asks. He then asked me to be a location coordinator with him for the following year to be sure that we continue with the Wreaths Across America event in Douglas County and hopefully realize his dream of placing a wreath on every single veteran’s marker at the Roseburg National Cemetery. I gladly said yes. I said yes, because I believe in it.” - Shelley Johnson, Wreaths Across America – Douglas County Co-Location Coordinator.
The Wreaths Across America - Douglas County ceremony will take place on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at the Roseburg National Cemetery starting at 1:00 pm. We hope you will join us in honoring our veterans. Sign up today to volunteer or purchase a wreath for the 2025 ceremony at https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/17097.
###
Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov
Proclamation Attached. Photos © K.Tate/Douglas County. Individual photos are available upon request.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 29, 2024
NOW Showing: “Quilts & Christmas”
New Exhibit Open at the Douglas County Museum
(Roseburg, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Chris Boice, Tim Freeman, and Tom Kress, in conjunction with staff at the Douglas County Museum of History and Natural History are pleased to announce that a new limited time exhibit at the Douglas County Museum festively titled “Quilts & Christmas,” is now open and encourage all our citizens, young and old alike to visit. The exhibition will feature quilts, Christmas ornaments and toys from the museum’s extensive collection. The temporary exhibit is slated to run through February 2025.
The "quilt" portion of the exhibit will showcase a diverse collection of hand-stitched family quilts, each with its own unique story and craftsmanship. These quilts date back to the mid-1800s, with several having traveled along the Oregon Trail, a testament to their role in preserving warmth and comfort during one of the most significant migrations in American history. The “stars of the show” are four crazy quilts from the 1890’s to early 1900’s. The exhibit will also highlight a stunning contrast with a modern "Graffiti" quilt from 2002, blending traditional quilting techniques with contemporary artistic expression. Hand-stitched quilts represent a rich legacy of ingenuity and provide interesting historical documentation from the earliest days of our country to the present. These quilts, often passed down through generations, not only serve as functional items but also carry the stories and culture of the people who made them. In the earliest days of our country, quilts were essential for warmth, using available materials, often scraps of fabric, to create something both practical and beautiful. As an art form, quilting evolved significantly over time. Early American quilts were typically made with simple designs, sometimes in traditional patterns like "Log Cabin" or "Nine-Patch," reflecting the practical needs of pioneer life. In contrast, modern handstitched quilts may showcase intricate designs, personalized embroidery, and a broader array of materials. Each quilt tells a story—whether it's the history of a particular family, a cultural expression, or an artist's personal narrative. These quilts can also serve as historical documentation, reflecting the socioeconomic conditions of their time, the evolution of textile production, and the influence of changing fashion trends. Today, both quilt makers and the public find inspiration in quilts, whether for their craftsmanship, their use of color, or their historical significance. Museums, exhibitions, and quilting communities continue to preserve and celebrate this form of artistic expression, ensuring that it remains an important part of our cultural heritage.
The "Christmas" portion of the exhibit will display a curated selection of antique and noteworthy Christmas ornaments and toys from the museum's extensive collection. Visitors will be transported through time, with delicate glass ornaments, handcrafted decorations, and vintage toys that capture the holiday spirit of past eras. These cherished items, some dating back to the early 20th century, offer a glimpse into the traditions and joys of Christmas celebrations through the years, showcasing the evolution of festive decor and the sentimental value placed on holiday treasures. The exhibit will also showcase a selection of the 6,000 handmade ornaments created for the 2002 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. In addition, the exhibit will feature photographs capturing the journey of the tree, commemorating the year when Douglas County was chosen to provide the annual Christmas tree to the White House in Washington, D.C. This significant event in our history will be beautifully illustrated, offering visitors a glimpse into the pride and tradition behind this remarkable contribution to the nation's holiday celebrations.
For more than 50 years, curators of the Douglas County Museum have been collecting, preserving and exhibiting natural and cultural history items. Historically our local communities have relied on the mining, fishing, farming, transportation and timber harvesting to thrive in Douglas County. Our museum links the connections between natural resources and these industries in their exhibits and cultural events to make history come to life. From the snowcapped peak of Mt. Thielsen nestled in the Cascades Mountain Range, through the Umpqua River Valley, to the Coastal Mountain Range to the crashing surf of the Pacific Ocean at Winchester Bay, Douglas County traverses an amazingly wide range of elevations and environments. It is Douglas County’s ecological diversity that is showcased in Oregon’s largest natural history exhibition – “The Land of the Umpqua’s”.
The Douglas County Museum of History and Natural History is located at 123 Museum Drive in Roseburg, Oregon (conveniently located off I-5 Exit 123 and adjacent to the Douglas County Fairgrounds). It is open seven days a week from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. It can take 1-3 hours to tour the museum depending on your pace. The Lavola Bakken Research Library is open Tuesday through Saturday 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm. Admission is free for members, ages 0-4 are free, students 5-17 are $2.00, adults are $8.00, seniors and veterans are $5.00. The "Museum Mercantile," the museum gift shop, offers the area’s leading source of books on Douglas County’s natural and cultural history, as well as a wide range of Oregon souvenirs and other great gift items including educational and historic toys.
Click here for more information or to find out about volunteering at our Douglas County Museum of History & Natural History or call the Douglas County Museum at (541) 957-7007.
###
Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 22 , 2024
** Notice of Virtual Meeting **
Douglas County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC)
Behavioral Health and Housing Subcommittee
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
(Douglas County, OR) The next meeting for the Douglas County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council’s (LPSCC) – Behavioral Health and Housing Subcommittee will take place on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 11:30 am via a virtual conference format.
In compliance with ORS 192.610 to 192.690, we will accommodate any member of the public who wishes to watch or listen to the meeting via video or by phone. For information on how you can watch or listen to this meeting, please see the agenda, or contact Koree Tate at koree.tate@douglascountyor.gov or call (541) 957-7790.
The meeting agenda is attached and can also be found at www.douglascountyor.gov.
|
###
Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov
Program Contact: Koree Tate, Programs and Partnership Coordinator | Douglas County Juvenile Department | Phone: (541) 957-7790 | Email: koree.tate@douglascountyor.gov