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News Release

07-31-26 Commissioners Issue Proclamations For National Coast Guard Day And National Lighthouse Day (Photo) - 07/31/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 31, 2026

 

Commissioners Issue Proclamations for National Coast Guard Day and National Lighthouse Day

(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Tom Kress and Tim Freeman were on location in Winchester Bay, Oregon on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, for a special presentation for National Coast Guard Day and National Lighthouse Day.  They issued proclamations and called upon all citizens of Douglas County to honor National Coast Guard Day and National Lighthouse Day in Douglas County.  A copy of the live video presentation can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page: //www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment.

 

“On behalf of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, I want to express our sincere gratitude to the dedicated men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard serving in North Bend, Coos Bay, and at Umpqua River. Your professionalism, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to protecting our waterways and coastal communities do not go unnoticed. We are honored to recognize your service and celebrate alongside you each year,” said Commissioner Kress. “I also want to thank our museum staff, and the many volunteers at the Umpqua River Lighthouse and Coastal History Museum for preserving and sharing the rich maritime history of our region. This incredible facility is a true gem for Douglas County, and it continues to grow as a destination that educates, inspires, and connects visitors to our coastal heritage. We appreciate everyone who helps make Winchester Bay such a special place and look forward to the continued success of this treasured landmark and the surrounding community.”

 

History celebrates August 4, 1790, as the official birthday of the United States Coast Guard (USCG). On that day President George Washington signed the ‘Tariff Act’, which authorized the Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, to build the first ten cutter vessels to protect the new nation's revenue. Following the Act, the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service, U.S. Life Saving Service, U.S. Bureau of Lighthouses, and Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation were created and eventually came together to form the USCG. President Woodrow Wilson signed the “Coast Guard Act” into law on January 28, 1915.  Commissioners recognized the brave men and women of our USCG who protect the personal safety and security of our people; the marine transportation system and infrastructure; our natural and economic resources; the territorial integrity of our nation–from both internal and external threats, natural and man-made and the interests of our navigable waters including U.S. ports, inland waterways, coastlines and international waters.  Commissioner Freeman presented National Coast Guard Day proclamation certificates to USCG Station Umpqua River, USCG Aids to Navigation Team (ANT) in Coos Bay and retired USCG personnel.  Guests at the presentation were treated to a special ‘flyby’ from a MH-65 Short Range Coast Guard Recovery Helicopter that joined us as a part of a training mission from USCG Air Station North Bend.  Thank you, USCG North Bend!

 

In attendance representing the United States Coast Guard were USCG Station Umpqua River Boatswain's Mate Senior Chief Petty Officer Jared Merloro, Executive Petty Officer and Boatswain's Mate Chief Petty Officer Jonathan Corcoran and several crew members from USCG Station Umpqua River.  Additionally, we recognized USCG Aids to Navigation Team (ANT) Coos Bay Chief Boatswain's Mate Jeremy Bossinger, Officer in Charge and Machinery Technician First Class Donavan Carley.  USCG operates under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and locally they are part of the U.S. Coast Guard Northwest (formerly District 13).  The headquarters of USCG Air Station North Bend and USCG Base North Bend are in North Bend, Oregon and support 153 Active-Duty Personnel, 9 Reserve Personnel, and 5 Civilian Personnel.  USCG Station Umpqua River is located in the fishing community of Winchester Bay and boasts 43 Active-Duty Personnel & 5 Reserve Personnel.  USCG Aids to Navigation Team (ANT) in Coos Bay support 9 Active-Duty Personnel and 1 Reserve Personnel.  If you are interested in learning more about a career in the USCG and perhaps a tour of the facilities, contact Station Umpqua River at (541) 271-2138 or Base North Bend at (541) 756-9220. 

 

Commissioners also recognized National Lighthouse Day and Week.  National Lighthouse Week and National Lighthouse Day are celebrated in August each year during the week of August 3-7, and on August 7.  237 years ago on August 7, 1789, Congress approved an Act for the establishment and support of lighthouse, beacons, buoys and public piers in the United States.  We are honored to have the 130-year-old, 65-foot-tall Umpqua River Lighthouse, with its first-order, rare and iconic, red and white Fresnel lens, handcrafted in 1890 by Barbier & Cie of Paris, France with twenty-four bullseye panels, consisting of 616 glass prisms proudly shining as a beacon above the coastal shores of Douglas County in Winchester Bay.  The Umpqua River Lighthouse is one of 11 historical lighthouses that have guided ships to safe passage along the Oregon Coast for over 100 years.  The Umpqua River Lighthouse and corresponding lighthouse grounds stand as a testament to the commitment of our community members, County Commissioners, museum employees, foundation members and volunteers, who have all worked painstakingly and passionately over the years to preserve our lighthouse and coastal history.  Commissioner Freeman presented National Lighthouse Day and Week proclamation certificates to staff and volunteers that work to keep our Umpqua River Lighthouse, Coastal History Museum, Gift Shop & Café, Art Gallery and Whale Watching Station open, preserved, and beautiful. 

 

In attendance representing the Umpqua River Lighthouse were Douglas County Museum Director James Davis; Lighthouse Museum Gift Shop Lead, Ethan VanSyoc; Lighthouse Museum Kitchen Lead, Molly Hottel; Lighthouse Museum Gift Shop, Joshua Adkins; Lighthouse Museum Operations, Dave Carver; Lighthouse Museum Manager, Terry Carver; Gallery Lead, David Marshal; Volunteer Gaylyn Bradley, Volunteer Zena Rilzeff; and Lighthouse Tour Guides - Misty & Larry, Matt & Lori, Joe & Deb, Don & Annita, Cheryl & Ryan, and Dudley & Jenny.  Volunteers are the backbone of our museum operations, for more information about  how you can volunteer at our museums check out our website at https://umpquavalleymuseums.org/ or call the Douglas County Museum at (541) 957-7007.  Also in attendance at the event were City of Reedsport Mayor Linda McCollum, Reedsport City Counciler Cindy Wegner, Douglas County’s Salmon Harbor Marina, Jody Morrow, and Douglas County Facilities, Robert Diaz.  

 

We were honored to have Gaylin Bradley join us for this special presentation. A longtime volunteer at the Umpqua River Lighthouse, Coastal History Museum, and Douglas County Museum, and former Douglas County employee, Gaylin has played an instrumental role in shaping our museums into the treasured destinations they are today. Her many contributions include designing museum exhibits, researching and developing the lighthouse tours, enhancing the museum grounds through landscaping, leading restoration projects, and serving as a passionate ambassador for our  Coastal History Museum, Umpqua River Lighthouse and Douglas County Museum.  “I happened to be working for the Douglas County Parks Department when the last of the Coast Guard lighthouse keepers left.  I was recruited to help establish the Museum, programs, and grounds.  It was a wonderful time in my life and I thoroughly enjoyed it – and still do to this day,” stated Gaylyn.

 

Joining us again this year was the Fox Family.  They returned for a family reunion this year.  Last year Melanie Smiley-Ybarra stopped and donated a special quilt honoring her family’s long-standing connection with the U.S. Coast Guard. The quilt, lovingly crafted by her mother, Lira Fox Hibbon-Owen, with help from other Fox family members, has been passed down through generations. They felt the museum was a fitting final home for this heirloom. Melanie’s grandfather, Myron L. Fox, was stationed at USCG Umpqua River during the 1940s–50s. Her mother, Lira, grew up in the nearby Coast Guard barracks and recalled helping to clean the red and white glass prisms of the lighthouse. The family's service continued through Myron’s grandson, Petter Hibbon, and nephew, Norn Chapman, who also served in the USCG. The quilt displayed at the museum stands as a heartfelt tribute to their legacy.

 

The proclamations presented in Winchester Bay are a reminder to our residents to thank the brave men and women of our United States Coast Guard for their valued service to our country and our citizens, and to ask that you check out our “gem” on the coast, the Umpqua River Lighthouse, Coastal History Museum, Gift Shop & Café, Art Gallery and Whale Watching Station in beautiful Winchester Bay.

 

###

 

Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Chief Public Information Officer | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov

 

Proclamations and Photo Collages Attached.  Photos ©K.Rodriguez/Douglas County. Individual photos available upon request

Attached Media Files: 07-31-26lighthouseproclamationcollage.jpg, 07-29-26USCGProclamationSigned.jpg, 2026BOCLighthouseDayProcSigned.pdf, 07-31-26CoastGuardProclamation2.jpg,

07-31-26 Commissioners Issue Proclamations For National Coast Guard Day And National Lighthouse Day (Photo) - 07/31/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 31, 2026

 

Commissioners Issue Proclamations for National Coast Guard Day and National Lighthouse Day

(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Tom Kress and Tim Freeman were on location in Winchester Bay, Oregon on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, for a special presentation for National Coast Guard Day and National Lighthouse Day.  They issued proclamations and called upon all citizens of Douglas County to honor National Coast Guard Day and National Lighthouse Day in Douglas County.  A copy of the live video presentation can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page: //www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment.

 

“On behalf of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, I want to express our sincere gratitude to the dedicated men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard serving in North Bend, Coos Bay, and at Umpqua River. Your professionalism, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to protecting our waterways and coastal communities do not go unnoticed. We are honored to recognize your service and celebrate alongside you each year,” said Commissioner Kress. “I also want to thank our museum staff, and the many volunteers at the Umpqua River Lighthouse and Coastal History Museum for preserving and sharing the rich maritime history of our region. This incredible facility is a true gem for Douglas County, and it continues to grow as a destination that educates, inspires, and connects visitors to our coastal heritage. We appreciate everyone who helps make Winchester Bay such a special place and look forward to the continued success of this treasured landmark and the surrounding community.”

 

History celebrates August 4, 1790, as the official birthday of the United States Coast Guard (USCG). On that day President George Washington signed the ‘Tariff Act’, which authorized the Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, to build the first ten cutter vessels to protect the new nation's revenue. Following the Act, the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service, U.S. Life Saving Service, U.S. Bureau of Lighthouses, and Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation were created and eventually came together to form the USCG. President Woodrow Wilson signed the “Coast Guard Act” into law on January 28, 1915.  Commissioners recognized the brave men and women of our USCG who protect the personal safety and security of our people; the marine transportation system and infrastructure; our natural and economic resources; the territorial integrity of our nation–from both internal and external threats, natural and man-made and the interests of our navigable waters including U.S. ports, inland waterways, coastlines and international waters.  Commissioner Freeman presented National Coast Guard Day proclamation certificates to USCG Station Umpqua River, USCG Aids to Navigation Team (ANT) in Coos Bay and retired USCG personnel.  Guests at the presentation were treated to a special ‘flyby’ from a MH-65 Short Range Coast Guard Recovery Helicopter that joined us as a part of a training mission from USCG Air Station North Bend.  Thank you, USCG North Bend!

 

In attendance representing the United States Coast Guard were USCG Station Umpqua River Boatswain's Mate Senior Chief Petty Officer Jared Merloro, Executive Petty Officer and Boatswain's Mate Chief Petty Officer Jonathan Corcoran and several crew members from USCG Station Umpqua River.  Additionally, we recognized USCG Aids to Navigation Team (ANT) Coos Bay Chief Boatswain's Mate Jeremy Bossinger, Officer in Charge and Machinery Technician First Class Donavan Carley.  USCG operates under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and locally they are part of the U.S. Coast Guard Northwest (formerly District 13).  The headquarters of USCG Air Station North Bend and USCG Base North Bend are in North Bend, Oregon and support 153 Active-Duty Personnel, 9 Reserve Personnel, and 5 Civilian Personnel.  USCG Station Umpqua River is located in the fishing community of Winchester Bay and boasts 43 Active-Duty Personnel & 5 Reserve Personnel.  USCG Aids to Navigation Team (ANT) in Coos Bay support 9 Active-Duty Personnel and 1 Reserve Personnel.  If you are interested in learning more about a career in the USCG and perhaps a tour of the facilities, contact Station Umpqua River at (541) 271-2138 or Base North Bend at (541) 756-9220. 

 

Commissioners also recognized National Lighthouse Day and Week.  National Lighthouse Week and National Lighthouse Day are celebrated in August each year during the week of August 3-7, and on August 7.  237 years ago on August 7, 1789, Congress approved an Act for the establishment and support of lighthouse, beacons, buoys and public piers in the United States.  We are honored to have the 130-year-old, 65-foot-tall Umpqua River Lighthouse, with its first-order, rare and iconic, red and white Fresnel lens, handcrafted in 1890 by Barbier & Cie of Paris, France with twenty-four bullseye panels, consisting of 616 glass prisms proudly shining as a beacon above the coastal shores of Douglas County in Winchester Bay.  The Umpqua River Lighthouse is one of 11 historical lighthouses that have guided ships to safe passage along the Oregon Coast for over 100 years.  The Umpqua River Lighthouse and corresponding lighthouse grounds stand as a testament to the commitment of our community members, County Commissioners, museum employees, foundation members and volunteers, who have all worked painstakingly and passionately over the years to preserve our lighthouse and coastal history.  Commissioner Freeman presented National Lighthouse Day and Week proclamation certificates to staff and volunteers that work to keep our Umpqua River Lighthouse, Coastal History Museum, Gift Shop & Café, Art Gallery and Whale Watching Station open, preserved, and beautiful. 

 

In attendance representing the Umpqua River Lighthouse were Douglas County Museum Director James Davis; Lighthouse Museum Gift Shop Lead, Ethan VanSyoc; Lighthouse Museum Kitchen Lead, Molly Hottel; Lighthouse Museum Gift Shop, Joshua Adkins; Lighthouse Museum Operations, Dave Carver; Lighthouse Museum Manager, Terry Carver; Gallery Lead, David Marshal; Volunteer Gaylyn Bradley, Volunteer Zena Rilzeff; and Lighthouse Tour Guides - Misty & Larry, Matt & Lori, Joe & Deb, Don & Annita, Cheryl & Ryan, and Dudley & Jenny.  Volunteers are the backbone of our museum operations, for more information about  how you can volunteer at our museums check out our website at https://umpquavalleymuseums.org/ or call the Douglas County Museum at (541) 957-7007.  Also in attendance at the event were City of Reedsport Mayor Linda McCollum, Reedsport City Counciler Cindy Wegner, Douglas County’s Salmon Harbor Marina, Jody Morrow, and Douglas County Facilities, Robert Diaz.  

 

We were honored to have Gaylin Bradley join us for this special presentation. A longtime volunteer at the Umpqua River Lighthouse, Coastal History Museum, and Douglas County Museum, and former Douglas County employee, Gaylin has played an instrumental role in shaping our museums into the treasured destinations they are today. Her many contributions include designing museum exhibits, researching and developing the lighthouse tours, enhancing the museum grounds through landscaping, leading restoration projects, and serving as a passionate ambassador for our  Coastal History Museum, Umpqua River Lighthouse and Douglas County Museum.  “I happened to be working for the Douglas County Parks Department when the last of the Coast Guard lighthouse keepers left.  I was recruited to help establish the Museum, programs, and grounds.  It was a wonderful time in my life and I thoroughly enjoyed it – and still do to this day,” stated Gaylyn.

 

Joining us again this year was the Fox Family.  They returned for a family reunion this year.  Last year Melanie Smiley-Ybarra stopped and donated a special quilt honoring her family’s long-standing connection with the U.S. Coast Guard. The quilt, lovingly crafted by her mother, Lira Fox Hibbon-Owen, with help from other Fox family members, has been passed down through generations. They felt the museum was a fitting final home for this heirloom. Melanie’s grandfather, Myron L. Fox, was stationed at USCG Umpqua River during the 1940s–50s. Her mother, Lira, grew up in the nearby Coast Guard barracks and recalled helping to clean the red and white glass prisms of the lighthouse. The family's service continued through Myron’s grandson, Petter Hibbon, and nephew, Norn Chapman, who also served in the USCG. The quilt displayed at the museum stands as a heartfelt tribute to their legacy.

 

The proclamations presented in Winchester Bay are a reminder to our residents to thank the brave men and women of our United States Coast Guard for their valued service to our country and our citizens, and to ask that you check out our “gem” on the coast, the Umpqua River Lighthouse, Coastal History Museum, Gift Shop & Café, Art Gallery and Whale Watching Station in beautiful Winchester Bay.

 

###

 

Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Chief Public Information Officer | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov

 

Proclamations and Photo Collages Attached.  Photos ©K.Rodriguez/Douglas County. Individual photos available upon request

Attached Media Files: 07-31-26lighthouseproclamationcollage.jpg, 07-29-26USCGProclamationSigned.jpg, 2026BOCLighthouseDayProcSigned.pdf, 07-31-26CoastGuardProclamation2.jpg,