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As Benton County prepares to recognize the Day of Remembrance for Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II, Benton County Deputy District Attorney Kevin Hashizume says the annual observance carries deep personal meaning rooted in his family’s history. 

The national Day of Remembrance commemorates the signing of Executive Order 9066 in 1942, which led to the forced removal and incarceration of more than 120,000 Japanese Americans. Communities across the United States hold events each February to honor those affected and reflect on civil rights and civil liberties. 

At the Feb. 17 Benton County Board of Commissioners meeting, Dr. Janet Seiko Nishihara, director of the Educational Opportunities Program at Oregon State University, will read a proclamation recognizing February 19 as the Day of Remembrance of Japanese Americans Incarcerated During WWII.  

One year ago, Dr. Nishihara read a proclamation before the Board of Commissioners and reflected on both injustice and resilience. She said sharing personal and family histories remains critical to ensuring the broader community understands the lasting impacts of incarceration and why the message of “Never Again” must continue. 

“Our stories are two of the thousands from the incarceration and can add greatly to the understanding of the larger community about the ramifications of what happened and why ‘Never Again’ is a theme that we must keep going,” Nishihara said. 

She also emphasized that remembrance includes recognizing both the hardships faced and the strength communities demonstrated under confinement. 

“Despite the conditions in which they lived, Japanese Americans were resourceful and stood up systems and structures that continued to bring their community together,” Nishihara said during the Feb. 2025 reading. “During this time, they created their own churches, post offices, security departments, fire brigades, schools, and recreational and educational activities for the many children in the camps. While all of these activities and internal structures were built by the incarcerated Japanese residents, they were still surrounded by armed guards and barbed wire, which were constant reminders of the denial of their civil rights.” 

For Hashizume, this history hits close to home. His father, Naotaka “John” Hashizume, was a young child when his family was incarcerated at the Heart Mountain camp in Wyoming. Growing up, Kevin Hashizume said the experience was rarely discussed directly at home. 

“We just called it ‘camp,’” Hashizume said. “As kids we thought it was like a summer camp or something.” 

He said it was not until adulthood that he fully understood the emotional weight the experience carried for his father. Looking back, he began to notice patterns — including his father’s reluctance to travel outside California. 

“He wanted to stay where he felt safe and comfortable, and he wouldn’t always say why,” Hashizume said. “It wasn’t until I was older that I realized how much it affected him.” 

Hashizume said his own visit to Heart Mountain brought a new level of understanding. Seeing the location in person while his

children were close to the same age his father had been at the time created a powerful emotional connection. 

“I thought about what that must have been like and whether I would have been strong enough,” he said. “They had a comfortable life in Hollywood with a nice house. Everything was taken, and they left with only what they could carry.” 

Watching preserved home movies and photographs of his family playing as children while at Heart Mountain added another layer of emotion. Hashizume said he is proud his grandfather intentionally documented and safeguarded that history. 

“It’s something we were never taught in school,” he said. “To know my grandfather put real effort into preserving it means a lot to be able to bring that history back into focus.” 

The Hashizume family maintains strong ties to the Japanese American National Museum and to the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center in Wyoming, where interviews, photographs and artifacts connected to the family are archived and shared with the public. 

Hashizume also noted that some modern migrant detention facilities exist near or on the same sites as former incarceration camps, one reason many families and advocacy groups continue to speak out and work to keep the history visible. 

Benton County District Attorney Ryan Joslin said Hashizume’s family connection makes him a valuable resource when discussing the topic. Joslin noted that Hashizume keeps several historic photographs and related items displayed in his office and willingly shares them to help others better understand the history.  

While D.A. Joslin does not have a personal family connection to wartime incarceration, the subject is meaningful to him. He lived in Japan from 1987 to 1989 and later majored in Japanese as an undergraduate, experiences he said gave him a lasting appreciation for the people of Japan, their culture and history. 

An interview with Naotaka “John” Hashizume, conducted by the Japanese American National Museum when they brought part of the Eaton Collection to the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center in 2016, is available on Japanese American National Museum YouTube.

Amateur footage from the Hashizume family collection, including scenes from Heart Mountain, is available through Discover Nikkei.

Proclamations read before and adopted by the Benton County Board of Commissioners are a tool to formally acknowledge history and promote public understanding. The Hashizume family’s history serves as an important local example of the relevance of continuing to honor and learn from the past. 

A drone view of Crystal Lake Cemetery in Corvallis shows one of Benton County’s historic pioneer cemeteries, where generations of local residents — including some of the region’s earliest Black pioneers — are laid to rest.

The Benton County Board of Commissioners proclaimed February 2026 as Black History Month during its Feb. 3 meeting, recognizing the achievements, history and cultural contributions of Black Americans both locally and nationwide. 

John Phillips IV, president of the Linn-Benton NAACP, read the proclamation and spoke about the importance of honoring Black history while encouraging continued learning and open dialogue in the community. 

“It serves as a time to honor cultural heritage and promote awareness, education and inclusion,” Phillips said. 

The proclamation notes that Black History Month began in 1926, through the work of historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson, and expanded to a month-long national observance in 1976. The 2026 national theme, “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” marks 100 years since the first formal celebrations of Black history in the United States. 

But Black history in Benton County goes back a lot farther than that. The stories of Black pioneers remain visible in local names and community records. Crystal Lake Cemetery in Corvallis, managed by Benton County, is the final resting place of some of these local trailblazers.  

Hannah and Eliza Gorman were among the first recorded Black residents of Corvallis, arriving in the 1840s as enslaved people and later purchasing property in the 1850s despite Oregon’s exclusion laws. Eliza became known locally for her seamstress skills, and her obituary in the Corvallis Gazette reflected the respect she earned within the community. 

Louis, sometimes spelled Lewis, Southworth was born into slavery in Tennessee, bought his freedom and became a respected farmer, blacksmith and fiddler. He later lived in the Corvallis area. Southworth Creek bears his name as a lasting reminder of his presence and community impact.  

For Benton County Safety Officer Ray Woothtakewahbitty, service has always been about mission, people and accountability. 

Woothtakewahbitty, whose name is Comanche meaning “arrive and strike,” comes from a family and culture with deep military roots. He is Comanche on his father’s side, and like many Indigenous peoples, the Comanche people have a long history of military service. 

“Almost everyone on that side of my family served,” he said. “They were great role models. I knew from a young age that I wanted to serve.” 

That commitment shaped a 25-year military career that included three combat deployments and a wide range of roles from shop mechanic and scout to maintenance leadership and first sergeant.  

A first sergeant is a senior enlisted leader who takes care of Soldiers and keeps the unit ready by enforcing standards, mentoring leaders and ensuring the mission gets done. 

Along the way, Woothtakewahbitty led people and managed equipment and budgets, often in high-pressure environments where mistakes carried serious consequences. 

“Almost every job I had in the military was stressful,” he shared. “I had jobs that were brutal working from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day under pressure to meet quotas on recruiting duty, and days in the motor pool or on supply convoys in Afghanistan that only ended when the mission was complete. Being responsible for the lives and safety of my Soldiers in a combat zone was always stressful.” 

Those experiences built a strong work ethic and a calm, steady approach that he brings to his work today with Benton County. 

“I don’t get stressed out easily,” he said. “Being shot at and taking care of Soldiers while their lives are on the line gives you perspective. It helps me perform well in difficult situations.” 

As Benton County’s safety officer, Woothtakewahbitty works largely behind the scenes, ensuring employees and the public are protected and that safety programs are effective and fiscally responsible. He said the military made safety second nature. 

“In the Army, we did a risk assessment for every task or hazard and developed a plan to mitigate it. That mindset never leaves you.” 

His military background also sharpened his ability to troubleshoot problems, stay calm under pressure and work with people from all walks of life. Over his career, he worked alongside West Point graduates, young Soldiers just out of high school, and people from many cultures and backgrounds. 

“The military taught me how to relate to different people and embrace diversity,” he said. “I’m grateful for that exposure, and I appreciate that Benton County values diversity, too.” 

Since joining Benton County, Woothtakewahbitty has partnered with department leaders to apply his military experience to real-world safety challenges, particularly for employees working along roadways. 

“I’ve worked closely with Ray as he’s transitioned into this role, especially around improving safety for our road crews,” said BJ Haley, Benton County roads operations manager. “His military background shows in how he approaches risk, accountability and teamwork. He’s focused on making sure our crews go home safe at the end of the day, and that mindset strengthens our entire operation.” 

Woothtakewahbitty said the sense of purpose he found in uniform continues in his civilian role. 

“I care about service and mission,” he said. “I care about the people I work with and making sure they go home safe. That’s where I get my purpose. From serving others and being part of a team that’s doing something meaningful.” 

For Woothtakewahbitty, the mission has changed, but the values remain the same. His commitment to service, teamwork and accountability closely reflects Benton County’s core value, “At Your Service, Every Day”, and guides how he supports coworkers and keeps people safe across the organization. 

Phil Coleman, chair of the Hanging Around Town program, sits next to a painting by a Corvallis Art Guild member on display at the Kalapuya Building in Corvallis, Ore. (Benton County, Oregon, photo by Cory Grogan)

CORVALLIS, Ore. — Local art is showing up in familiar places, including Benton County buildings. That’s thanks to the Corvallis Art Guild’s Hanging Around Town program, which currently features artwork at the Benton County Kalapuya Building on Research Way and other locations throughout Benton County. 

The Corvallis Art Guild has supported local artists with programs like this one for decades — in fact, it’s celebrating its 80th anniversary next year. Hanging Around Town helps guild members display artwork for one to two months at a time in public-facing venues across Corvallis.  

“The venues aren’t formal galleries, so this program exposes a wider range of the public to local art and artists,” said Phil Coleman, Hanging Around Town exhibits chair. 

Participating locations include Benton County buildings such as the Kalapuya and Sunset Buildings on Research Way, along with the Corvallis Community Center, medical offices, gyms and care facilities. Coleman notes that the variety of locations helps artists reach people who might not otherwise visit a gallery. 

“An art guild member is often very pleased to find that their arrival at the start of a month with fresh art is warmly received by the venue’s staff and visitors,” Coleman said. “That experience motivates the artist to keep creating new work.” 

Coleman took on leadership of the program in 2017 when the previous chair needed a break. As a photographer in a guild largely made up of painters, he felt the role helped him better to understand other artistic perspectives while also advocating for photography as an art form. 

“A good photo is a little more than just clicking the shutter,” Coleman added. 

Each displayed piece includes a small information card listing the title, medium and the artist’s name and contact information. This allows visitors to connect directly with artists to share feedback or inquire about purchasing artwork. 

An extra benefit of the program is that it often leads to meaningful connections beyond sales. 

“As a personal example, a photo that I showed at Timberhill Athletic Club not only led to its purchase but some subsequent great coffee shop conversations,” shared Coleman. 

Artists interested in participating must be exhibiting members of the Corvallis Art Guild in good standing and follow program guidelines for labeling, content, framing quality and scheduling. 

 Organizations interested in joining the Hanging Around Town program as an exhibition space are encouraged to learn more. To sign up or get additional information, email the exhibit chair at exhibitschair@corvallisartguild.net or visit corvallisartguild.net/members/hanging-around-town-member-info/. 

CORVALLIS, Ore. — The Vina Moses Center is helping brighten the holidays for local families through its annual Giving Tree program, a community tradition that continues the legacy of the Center’s founder. 

For decades, the Vina Moses Center has supported Benton County residents with essential services like a food pantry, clothing assistance, school supplies and seasonal programs for families in need. One of its most cherished efforts is the Giving Tree initiative, which provides new gifts for children and teens ages 0–18 throughout the community. 

This year, Benton County was one of over 60 Giving Tree hosts. Tags printed with child ages and wish lists are displayed on a holiday tree in the lobby of the Kalapuya Building at 4500 Research Way in Corvallis. Community members and County employees were able to choose a tag, purchase a gift and return it to the tree or directly to the Vina Moses Center at 968 NW Garfield Ave. in Corvallis. 

The County’s participation was made possible by the efforts of Marriah De La Vega, executive assistant to the Board of Commissioners and the county administrator. Marriah’s colleagues admire the unfailing kindness and compassion she demonstrates daily in interactions with the public and County employees. 

“I had seen the Giving Trees around town and wanted to bring one here,” De La Vega said. “This means a lot to me because I feel like it is important to help people have a good Christmas.” 

The need and the impact are both significant. 

“Each year, support from partners like Benton County helps kindness shine brightest this season for families facing hardship,” said Peter Merten, program and development specialist with the Vina Moses Center.  

“Last year, our community collected gifts that went to 1,873 kids. Everything is given away for free in our seasonal, pop-up Vina’s Giving Tree stores. We are profoundly grateful for your kindness — you’re creating a positive memory for a child that they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.” 

Community members who want to support the Vina Moses Center can learn more about enrolling in services, donating or volunteering by visiting the Vina Moses website, emailing info@vinamoses.org, or calling 541-753-1420.

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