JUST LAUNCHED! Many Naval Academy alumni go on to launch and/or own businesses in a wide variety of vital industries. Many of those industries—and your fellow alumni and their families and employees—are currently feeling the immediate impact of the COVID-19 crisis. If you’re in need of a product or service, the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association’s Business Directory can help you locate the right business by class, location or industry and support your fellow alumni at the same time.

CALL TO ACTION! No Houston businesses have registered, yet. If you are an Alumni that owns a business, log in and register now!

LONE STAR FLIGHT MUSEUM ANNOUNCES 2020 TEXAS AVIATION HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Induction ceremony and luncheon rescheduled for Wed., Sept. 2, 2020 – 75th Anniversary of VJ Day

(HOUSTON, Texas) – The Lone Star Flight Museum (LSFM) is pleased to announce the selection of four new inductees into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame. A distinguished panel of aviation historians, authors, publishers, archivists and aviation experts selected George W.S. Abbey USNA ‘54, Colonel (retired) Eileen M. Collins, Usto Schulz and Tyson Weihs from a field of more than 100 candidates.

This prestigious group will be officially inducted on Friday, May 8 at the 2020 Texas Aviation Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and luncheon at the Lone Star Flight Museum located at Houston’s Ellington Airport.

The Texas Aviation Hall of Fame was established in 1995 to honor and recognize Texans and Texas companies or organizations that have made significant and lasting contributions to the advancement of aviation. There are currently 76 individuals and groups in the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame, in four categories which include: trailblazers and explorers, wartime aviators, leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators.

The 2020 Texas Aviation Hall of Fame inductees join an impressive list of past inductees representing trailblazers and explorers such as Bessie Coleman and Wiley Post; leaders such as Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush; World War II aviators Tex Hill, the Doolittle Raiders, Tuskegee Airmen and Women Airforce Service Pilots; astronauts Alan Bean, John Young and Gene Cernan; and entrepreneurs Howard Hughes, Gordon Bethune and Herb Kelleher. To be selected as a member of the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame, the individual or group must have a significant connection to Texas and have left an indelible mark on the history of aviation or be an aviator who made an extraordinary contribution to the world in another field.

George Abbey, USNA ‘54

With a bachelor’s degree in general science from the U.S. Naval Academy and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology, George W.S. Abbey flew both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, logging more than 5,000 hours in the air.  Serving as the USAF technical liaison at Boeing on the Dyna-Soar, SST and Lunar Orbiter projects, he was later detailed to NASA in 1964.  In 1967, Abbey left the Air Force and was named technical assistant to the JSC Center Director during the Apollo, Skylab and the Apollo-Soyuz programs.

In 1976, Abbey was named NASA’s Director of Flight Operations, and was responsible for overall direction and management of flight crew and flight control activities for all human space missions.  In 1988, he was appointed Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Flight at NASA Headquarters, and later appointed Senior Director for Civil Space Policy for the National Space Council in the Executive Office of the President.  In 1992 Abbey was named Special Assistant to the NASA Administrator before being named Deputy Director of Johnson Space Center in 1994 and then JSC Center Director from 1996 to 2001.  After retirement from NASA in 2003 he became Senior Fellow in Space Policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Sept. 2 also commemorates the 75th anniversary of the World War II Victory over Japan. Along with celebrating the 2020 Hall of Fame inductees, the Lone Star Flight Museum will will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. The summer long program, aptly named Fight To The Finish, is an invitation for Houstonians to take part in recognizing this significant anniversary and honor those that served and supported the U.S. to victory during WWII.  This four-month celebration will include special events, presentations, screenings, exhibits and more.

Fellow Shipmates,

A lot has been said already about the correct way to avoid contracting or spreading COVID-19 – thorough hand washing and significant social distancing – so I will leave that to the experts, but I do want you all to know that our Chapter members are here to support each other during difficult times.

Health Issues: If you are sick, or if you are at risk and trying to avoid becoming sick by isolating yourself, and you need assistance, reach out to us at the email below and we will work directly with you or work with Combined Arms to help you or find the right help. Additionally, if you use the VA for healthcare, call before you go to the local hospital and check their website for updates. Even if you do use the VA, I recommend registering with Combined Arms so they have you in their system and can help you get the help you need as soon as possible.

Health Resources and COVID-19 Updates

• Combined Arms: https://combinedarms.us/
• Department of Veterans Affairs: https://www.va.gov/
• World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/
• Texas DSHS: https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/
• Houston Health Department: https://houstonemergency.org/covid19/
• Harris County Public Health: http://publichealth.harriscountytx.gov/Resources/2019-Novel-Coronavirus
• Texas Medical Center: https://www.tmc.edu/coronavirus-updates/
• Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Outbreak Mapping: https://systems.jhu.edu/research/public-health/2019-ncov-map-faqs/

Employment Issues: If you are suddenly out of work and need assistance finding a new job, reach out to us and we will work with Combined Arms, NextOp, Houston Veterans in Business, and others to fully utilize the veteran network in the Texas Gulf Coast region to help you find work. Registering with Combined Arms will help you in this process.

Job Resources:

• Combined Arms: https://combinedarms.us/
• NextOp: https://nextopvets.org/
• Houston Veterans in Business: Reach out to HVB through their LinkedIn group or contact via email at:txgulfcoast.usnachapters@gmail.com

Stay well,

Bret Leach USNA ’08
TxGC President

Fellow Shipmates,

A lot of businesses and people will struggle during this time. For those of us who are not struggling and want to find a way to help others in need, I strongly urge you to consider supporting business who have supported us:

1. The Marquis II: We have had a difficult time finding a bar that can host our football watch parties and truly wants us there. This fall, the owner of the Marquis II, Al Jara, enthusiastically welcomed us to his bar and made our football games a priority even during peak hours. On top of that, he provided a lot of free food and heavily discounted drinks to make sure we had the best possible experience and he is looking forward to hosting us again next season. During the forced closure on bars, with no food to offer as take out or delivery, he’ll have no income. A great way to show our appreciation of Al and the Marquis II is to purchase your beer for the fall now- purchase a gift card by emailing Al at al@marquis2.com. Let him know you are part of the Naval Academy family and that we are looking forward to seeing him again in the fall.
2. El Tiempo Cantina and Tony Mandolas: Thanks to the generosity of Lee Kelleher ’69, Tony Mandolas and El Tiempo Cantina have graciously hosted us for our luncheons and happy hours for years. On top of that, El Tiempo has provided the food for our University of Houston – Navy football tailgates at a steep discount. They have been incredibly supportive of our chapter and have continuously been flexible, accommodating, and provided incredible value to us. You can order food to-go online at their websites or have their food delivered through several food delivery apps. Additionally, El Tiempo on Washington Ave, in Webster, and in the Woodlands, will offer “Fajitas and Ritas” delivered or to-go by calling 713-681-3645.
3. Wakefield Crowbar: Wakefield Crowbar has hosted all of our Top Gun fundraisers for our local Foundation and has hosted our football viewings in the past. They are open for takeout from 1600 to 2300 daily and have some great specials. Call 713-485-4806 to order.
4. Eureka Heights: Eureka Heights enthusiastically, without question, offered to donate the beer for our University of Houston – Navy football tailgate. If you are looking for a beer to keep you company while you are stuck in the house, consider purchasing theirs- they even have a drive-thru set up from 1100-1800 every day at the brewery.

Check their websites, Facebook pages, and Instagram accounts for more information and updates.

Stay well,

Bret Leach USNA ’08
TxGC President