Annual Charleston “Blessing of the Fleet” Canceled

Charleston, OR – Due to public gathering restrictions and social distancing recommendations associated with COVID-19, for the safety of attendees the annual Blessing of the Fleet and Memorial Service will be cancelled for 2020.  The service is usually held on Memorial Day at the Charleston Fisherman’s Memorial Garden. The Blessing of the Fleet honors local men and women involved in commercial fishing and the fishing industry who have died since 1941. The Charleston community will still add names to plaques in the Charleston Fisherman’s Memorial Garden. This year, two names will be added to the “In Memory of Charleston Fisherman”: Bill Ainsworth and Jack L. Hutchens. One name will be added to the “In Memory of Charleston Fisherman’s Industry” plaque: Wayne James Clemens. Names will be added by Memorial Day, May 25. These members will be included and fully honored at the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony next year.

Floral arrangements or memorial wreaths, provided they contain only biodegradable materials, will still be accepted. Local floral businesses can readily accommodate requests for this type of arrangement. Please practice social distancing when visiting the memorial garden.