On Tuesday, February 8, Chapter-member Bill Prom ’09 will present “A Warfare of Dockyards: Expeditious Shipbuilding in the War of 1812” as part of the Houston Maritime Center‘s History Lecture Series. It will be similar to the talk he gave at the Chapter’s June Luncheon, so if you missed it then, this is an excellent opportunity to catch it again. Here are the details:
- 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 8, 2022
- Houston Maritime Center
- 2311 Canal Street, Houston, TX 77003
- In-person tickets are free to members and $5 for nonmembers
- Zoom registration is free
The lecture covers the exploits of the self-taught shipbuilders, Noah and Adam Brown, who over the course of the War of 1812 built everything from gunboats to ships of the line. Their work included some of the most successful privateers of the war; the sloop Peacock, which took more prizes than any other U.S. Navy ship; and Robert Fulton’s steamship Demologos. However, their most impressive work was on the lakes. They built Perry’s squadron at Lake Erie with nothing but hand-powered tools in the winter of 1813. And in 1814, they built Macdonough’s squadron on Lake Champlain, which included launching the brig Eagle in 19 days after laying the keel. In both cases, the brother’s ingenuity and resourcefulness contributed directly to American victories. As entertaining as the brothers’ exploits are, the lessons that their story provides for our modern Navy regarding the importance of a strong commercial maritime industry are even more impactful.
Read more about the Houston Maritime Center and register for the event here.
The USNA Parents’ Club is hosting this year’s Joint Service Academy Military Ball. the event will be at Moody Gardens in Galveston on Sunday, December 26 and will feature a presentation by former Navy SEAL and NFL player, Clint Bruce ’97. There are still seats available for those interested. You can find more information for purchasing tickets at the 
It’s time to vote for the 2022 USNA Alumni Association Texas Gulf Coast Chapter and Foundation Board. We look forward to another great year of community building, Academy mission support, and alumni events. Please take a few minutes to participate in the election to help make that happen.
NASA’s Johnson Space Center renamed the Rocket Park for former Director George W.S. Abbey (USNA ’54). Abbey began working with NASA on the Apollo Program in 1964 as an Air Force Captain. His NASA career included investigating the Apollo 1 ancient, serving as Director of Flight Operations, and Director of the Johnson Space Center, among many other roles. His service has been recognized with the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. You can read more of Abbey’s impressive bio in 
We had a great time at the viewing party with the West Point Alumni chapter and Combined Arms at Little Woodrows. It is always nice to have alumni of every generation (including some mids-to-be) come together to cheer on Navy as they beat Army.
The Commanding Officer of SEAL Team 8, Commander Brian Bourgeois ’01, USN, suffered serious injuries from an accident during a fast rope training event last week. Tragically, he died of his injuries on Tuesday, December 7. You can read the 
Have you thought about contributing more to the Chapter, the Alumni Association, and the Naval Academy mission? Then please consider serving on the board of our Chapter, Foundation, or both. We are now accepting nominations for those to be considered for election to the Boards of Directors for both the 2022 TxGC Chapter and the Foundation.