A large crowd turned out for the Pacific Northwest Lighthouses Commemorative Stamp Ceremony. Grays Harbor Lighthouse, Westport, WA. 21jun07

The program began with a stirring “Presentation of the Colors” by the Coast Guard Station Grays Harbor Color Guard and the National Anthem performed by local Music Director, Christopher Kerr.

Westport Postmaster, Anne Gabriel, served as Master of Ceremonies.

U.S.Postal Service Seattle District Manager, Harold J. Matz providing the official dedication.

Featured speakers included Westport Mayor Michael Bruce.

Featured speakers included Westport Vicki Wolfe, president of the Westport South Beach Historical Society

Featured speakers included Elinor DeWire, lighthouse historian, author, and president of the Washington Lightkeepers Association. Ms. DeWire’s sentimental remarks paid tribute to all five unique lights and stressed the importance of preserving our nation’s rich lighthouse heritage:“For many years, these wonderful towers we salute today were true homes, but that chapter in history has ended. Thank goodness nonprofit groups and public entities have recognized the importance of lighthouse history and sought to save it. The U.S.P.S.’s continuing series of lighthouse stamps demonstrates its understanding and support of historic lighthouses as important humanitarian structures—deserving of recognition and preservation. Each time someone places a lighthouse stamp on a letter, the beauty and beneficence of these structures is made manifest. And why not?—Keeping lighthouses has always been a good idea.”

The First-Day-of-Issue celebration featured stamps celebrating lighthouses at Diamond Head Hawaii, Five Finger Alaska, Umpqua River, Oregon, and St. George Reef, California. Washington’s Grays Harbor Lighthouse, one of the featured stamps, was selected as the honorary location for the U.S. Postal Service’s stamp dedication ceremony on June 21st. Each stamp was produced from an original painting by artist Howard Koslow, who also designed two similar series of stamps in the 1980s and 1990s honoring Great Lakes lighthouses and historic American lighthouses.

The First-Day-of-Issue celebration featured stamps celebrating lighthouses at Diamond Head Hawaii, Five Finger Alaska, Umpqua River, Oregon, and St. George Reef, California. Washington’s Grays Harbor Lighthouse, one of the featured stamps, was selected as the honorary location for the U.S. Postal Service’s stamp dedication ceremony on June 21st. Each stamp was produced from an original painting by artist Howard Koslow, who also designed two similar series of stamps in the 1980s and 1990s honoring Great Lakes lighthouses and historic American lighthouses.