Astoria Oregon Unveils Coast Guard City Monument

ASTORIA, Ore. — The city of Astoria unveiled a monument commemorating its designation as a Coast Guard City during a ceremony on the 17th St. Pier, Thursday.

The ceremony, attended by Senator Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose, and Oregon State Representative Deborah Boone, D-Cannon Beach, began with remarks from Astoria Mayor Willis Van Dusen and Coast Guard Sector Columbia River Commander, Capt. Bruce Jones. Students from the Tongue Point Job Corps then helped to unveil the monument, a black marble sign bearing the Coast Guard shield and naming Astoria an official Coast Guard City.

Astoria was officially recognized as a Coast Guard City by Congress and the Coast Guard during the city's bicentennial celebration May 21, 2011, but the monument, located outside the Columbia River Maritime Museum, will serve as a permanent reminder of the strong relationship between the Coast Guard and the people of Oregon's northwest coast.

Only 13 other cities across the United States, including Newport, Ore., share the distinction of being named a Coast Guard City.

“Astoria is a great place to raise a family, an important place to perform our Coast Guard missions and a place where Coast Guard men and women feel welcome as part of the community,” said Capt. Bruce Jones, Sector Columbia River Commander.

This News is a service of:
       

Coast Guard Sector Columbia River Commander, Capt. Bruce Jones (second from left,) Astoria, Ore., Mayor Willis Van Dusen (third from left,) Oregon State Representative Deborah Boone, D-Cannon Beach (fifth from left) and Senator Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose (fifth from right,) along with other members of the Coast Guard, City of Astoria representatives and two students from the Tongue Point Job Corps unveil a monument in honor of Astoria's designation as a Coast Guard City, Jan. 24, 2013.
Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Shawn Eggert

Senator Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose, addresses students from the Tongue Point Job Corps and other attendees during an unveiling ceremony for a Coast Guard City monument in Astoria, Ore., Jan. 24, 2013. The monument stands outside the Columbia River Maritime Museum and serves as a reminder of the strong relationship between the Coast Guard and the people of Oregon's northwest coast. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Shawn Eggert

Coast Guard Sector Columbia River Commander, Capt. Bruce Jones, addresses attendees to the unveiling of a Coast Guard City monument in Astoria, Ore., Jan. 24, 2013. Astoria was officially recognized by Congress and the Coast Guard as a Coast Guard City during a ceremony May 21, 2011. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Shawn Eggert

Coast Guard Sector Columbia River Commander, Capt. Bruce Jones, addresses attendees to the unveiling of a Coast Guard City monument in Astoria, Ore., Jan. 24, 2013. Astoria was officially recognized by Congress and the Coast Guard as a Coast Guard City during a ceremony May 21, 2011. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer Shawn Eggert