Oregon's oldest Coast Guard veteran honored

By Jessica Porter, KCBY News Published: May 31, 2012 at 7:00 AM PDT
Oregon's oldest Coast Guard veteran honored »Play Video
Colleen Cowlan embraces Larry Eastman after helping him fit into a U.S. Coast Guard uniform ahead of the Memorial Day parade in Coos Bay, Ore. Thursday, May 24, 2012. At 102 years old, Eastman is the oldest USCG veteran in Oregon and will be the grand marshal for the parade. United States Coast Guardsman LTJG Ian Leonard, background, helped procure the uniform for Eastman. Eastmans' first rescue was in 1936 on the Rogue River Reef, Eastman said. Four pirates snuck out to a ship that ran aground in a skiff to see what they could pillage. Once they boarded the ship, "They lost their skiff!" Eastman said. "They were stranded and we had to put up a beach apparatus to rescue the pirates." (AP Photo/The World, Benjamin Brayfield)

COOS BAY, Ore. - Larry Eastman may not be able to hear well these days, but that hasn't stopped him from painting nearly everything inside of his apartment.

The Coast Guard Veteran says his memories of service inspire his paintings.

At 102, he is Oregon's oldest Coast Guard veteran. He led the Coos Bay Memorial Day parade Saturday.

When asked about his time in the Coast Guard, he immediately starts talking about the boats he was on during the war.

"It was an 80 footer and there was only six of them built at that time that could go up to 30 knots. They had four converted air craft engines in them and that was during the war. We had to patrol the straight there," Eastman said.

Eastman served in the Coast Guard 24 years.

When World War II broke out he was transferred to North Bend to monitor ship movements.

The lighthouse from the many years served at the Umpqua River Lifeboat Station is often seen in his work.

"He has taught me that no matter how young you are or how old you are your experience in life is going to make you who you become," Colleen Cowan, a friend said.

His friends and family say Larry was never really recognized for his service.

They love to hear about the dozens of rescues and shipwrecks Larry assisted in and are excited Coos Bay honored such a proud veteran.