Dick Miller and Pat Flynn – two Long Beach residents who were instrumental in establishing the city’s Junior Lifeguard program – were honored on Thursday, July 16, as the city officially dedicated the program’s facility in honor of them.
The renaming recognized Miller’s and Flynn’s public service, leadership and lasting impact on the city’s beaches, youth and marine safety programs, officials said.
Miller and Flynn were joined by family, friends, city leaders, lifeguards, community members and more than 100 junior lifeguards for a renaming ceremony Thursday morning at the Junior Lifeguard Facility, 5374 E. Ocean Blvd.
“Together, Pat and Dick created the Long Beach Junior Lifeguard Program, but they did more than just start a program,” Third District Councilmember Kristina Duggan said during the ceremony. “They created opportunities for young people to challenge themselves, develop lifelong skills, and become part of a tradition shared by generations of Long Beach families.”
Through their vision and leadership, the Long Beach Junior Lifeguard Program started in 1971 with 63 participants, and it has since trained thousands of young lifeguards in the Long Beach area. This summer, Duggan said, there are more than 800 participants, and the program has grown into one of Long Beach’s most meaningful youth programs and traditions.
The City of Long Beach officially dedicates the Junior Lifeguard Facility in honor of Dick Miller and Pat Flynn during a ceremony in Long Beach on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Miller and Flynn were instrumental in establishing the City’s Junior Lifeguard program in 1971. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Marine Safety Battalion Chief Scott Dixon speaks during the dedication of Long Beach’s Junior Lifeguard Facility in honor of Dick Miller and Pat Flynn on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Miller and Flynn were instrumental in establishing the City’s Junior Lifeguard program in 1971. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Mayor Rex Richardson speaks during the dedication of Long Beach’s Junior Lifeguard Facility in honor of Dick Miller and Pat Flynn on Thursday, July 16, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Mayor Rex Richardson speaks during the dedication of Long Beach’s Junior Lifeguard Facility in honor of Dick Miller and Pat Flynn on Thursday, July 16, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Dick Miller is emotional during a dedication ceremony of Long Beach’s Junior Lifeguard Facility on Thursday, July 16, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Mayor Rex Richardson speaks during the dedication of Long Beach’s Junior Lifeguard Facility in honor of Dick Miller and Pat Flynn on Thursday, July 16, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, Councilmember Kristina Duggan, City Manager Tom Modica and Mayor Rex Richardson pose for a photograph with Dick Miller and Pat Flynn during a dedication ceremony in Long Beach on Thursday, July 16, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, Dick Miller and Pat Flynn attend a dedication ceremony of Long Beach’s Junior Lifeguard Facility in their honor on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Miller and Flynn were instrumental in establishing the City’s Junior Lifeguard program in 1971. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The City of Long Beach officially dedicates the Junior Lifeguard Facility in honor of Dick Miller and Pat Flynn during a ceremony in Long Beach on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Miller and Flynn were instrumental in establishing the City’s Junior Lifeguard program in 1971. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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The City of Long Beach officially dedicates the Junior Lifeguard Facility in honor of Dick Miller and Pat Flynn during a ceremony in Long Beach on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Miller and Flynn were instrumental in establishing the City’s Junior Lifeguard program in 1971. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The program provides ocean safety education, leadership development and a pathway to careers in marine safety and public service, officials said.
The facility – originally built in 1930 – has long housed the program that has brought lifeguard rescue techniques, first aid, ocean sports and marine-related education to Long Beach youth. In 2023, the facility reopened its renovated building, which featured a new foundation, utilities, bicycle racks and offices for the city’s lifeguards.
Duggan brought forward the renaming proposal to honor Miller’s and Flynn’s contributions to the program and to connect future junior lifeguards with the two people whose leadership and legacy made it possible.
The City Council voted unanimously in 2024 to recommend changing the site’s name to the Pat Flynn and Dick Miller Junior Lifeguard Facility.
“This is very special to be able to honor leaders, public servants, who spent a lot of time out here protecting our eight miles of coastline and beach, and to have a vision for young people to be able to be trained and have careers,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in an interview. “The sign really reflects more than just the sign and a building. It’s a legacy of giving young people opportunities and promoting the importance of good health and physical activity and safety.”
City Manager Tom Modica and Long Beach Fire Department Marine Safety Chief Gonzalo Medina also congratulated Miller and Flynn during the ceremony.
“At its core, this program has always been focused on the preservation of life, the fragility of life itself, and how to turn these two abstract concepts into the skill set of saving lives,” Medina said. “After the establishment of our junior guard program, visiting a beach on a hot summer day became a lot safer. A generation of future lifeguards can be attributed to the inception of this program.”
Both men said they were honored to have the facility named after them.
Miller played water polo and swam at Wilson High School before attending San Jose State, where he was also a member of the swim and water polo teams. From 1950 to 1974, he was a seasonal lifeguard for Long Beach. He was also a highly successful swim and water polo coach at Millikan and Poly high schools. In 1974, he was appointed chief of the Long Beach Lifeguards, a position he held for 11 years. During his career, Miller started the dive team and developed the Lifeguard Code of Ethics, among other accomplishments.
“It is really outstanding,” Miller, 93, said about the facility renaming. “You never start out thinking that you’re going to be honored like this.”
Having this year’s junior lifeguards watch them receive the honor was fantastic, Flynn added.
Flynn dedicated 47 years to the Long Beach Lifeguards, serving from 1951 to 1998. He began his career on the beach and later became a skipper on the rescue boats while also serving on the Long Beach Search and Recovery Team. He was inducted into the Lifeguard Hall of Fame in 2000. He also conducted lifeguard assemblies on water safety for the Long Beach Unified School District for more than a decade, educating students on the importance of water safety.
“To see everybody here and chit-chat with old friends that I’ve known all my life and made rescues with, that’s the important thing,” Flynn, 92, said. “The important thing is lifeguarding and that’s why we’re here.”