Calendar

Sep
22
Sat
SMU Tailgate & Game (Road Trip) @ SMU
Sep 22 all-day

Official USNA Tailgate, hosted by North Texas Chapter

  • Tx Gulf Coast Chapter will have bus trip/road trip details and sign-up soon for those interested from the Houston area
  • More info coming soon
  • ALL INFO BELOW IS FROM NTX Site (http://www.usnaaa-ntx.com/article.html?aid=554)
    • Details subject to change; please review NTX site for latest details

Tailgate Food: Full meal, desserts, drinks, beer, water
Tailgate Location: SMU Boulevard
Tailgate Prices: $25 adults, $15 age 6-11, $5 age < 6

 

Game Tickets: NTX provided group tickets (NTX sections 221 & 222)
Ticket Prices: $25 each (regular price $35)- allotment of only 1200 tickets (first come, first served)

 

Hotel Package: Park City Hilton, Dallas
Hotel Prices: $177/night plus tax; $15/night parking (50% discount); $10 breakfast buffet Sunday (45% discount) – allotment of 40 rooms for Fri & Sat night
Reservations: Sign up online via link, or call hotel directly at 214-368-0400, using code USN group code

Sep
29
Sat
TxGC Family Picnic – Cancelled @ Battleship Texas
Sep 29 @ 11:00 – 14:00
EVENT CANCELLED due to weather – Will be rescheduled
Come join us at the Battleship Texas for our First Family day on Saturday, September 29th from 11 to 2pm.
We will setup at the pavilion (https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/battleship-texas/fees-facilities/group-facilities/group-picnic-pavilion) and serve you classic picnic fare – hot dogs, burgers, chips, sides, and sodas.
FREE FOR ALL, but please RSVP for food and headcount at the green button above!
The Battleship will be open for tours:
  • 65 years & older: $6 Per Person
  • Child 5 – 11 years old: $3 Per Person
  • Child 4 years & under: Free
  • Military (Active & Retired): Free
Feel free to bring outdoor games, any food you want grilled, and the family!!
Oct
5
Fri
Oct. Lunch: Austin Huckabee @ Tony Mandola's
Oct 5 @ 11:30 – 13:00

Austin Huckabee

Commissioned as an Armor Officer from Sam Houston State University in 2007, Austin served as an Abrams tank platoon leader and an Air Assault Infantry platoon leader in Baghdad, Iraq from 2009-2010. Since 2012, he as worked for the Houston Police Department as a patrol officer in Greenspoint and Acres Homes, in the Gang Division in a city-wide street level anti-gang unit, and in the SWAT detail as a part-time officer. In 2016, he became a contract instructor for the State Department and Justice Department in Ukraine, training multiple law enforcement agencies in and around Kiev in high-risk tactics.   Austin will talk to us about his experiences in training Ukrainian law enforcement agencies how to handle and respond to high risk tactical situations and the impact of the Ukraine’s current political climate affects its law enforcement’s ability to fight corruption.

TxGC MEMBERS ALWAYS GET $5 OFF!

  • Advance purchase online: $30 ($25 for TxGC members)
  • Week-of-event & walk-ups*: $35 ($30 for TxGC members)
    • *if seats available
  • TxGC Member discount is provided by a discount code via member-only newsletter

MENU

  • Ice tea, water, soda, cash bar
  • Choice of Sicilian salad or Mama’s gumbo
  • Choice of entree
    • Chicken John Kim: grilled chicken topped in mushrooms, roasted peppers, white wine butter sauce
    • Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce: traditional penne pasta with Mama’s slow cooked meat sauce
    • Blacked Trout: filet topped with etoufee served with red-skinned mashed potatoes and vegetables
  • Choice of chocolate cake or cheesecake
Oct
25
Thu
TxGC Chapter 80th Anniversary
Oct 25 all-day

On October 25, 1938…

the Houston Branch of the USNA Alumni Association held their first, formal meeting at the Hotel Stratford.  Although the branch had loosely been in existence before this date, it was considered “inactive”, and was formally established per requirements until this date.  Members in attendance at the first meeting were Geisenhoff, N. H. ’13; Whistenford, Chas. ’21; Parrott, J.H. ’23; Spangler, J.B. ’23; Randolph, A.K. ’24; Wallace, A.B. ’26; Blank, C.F. ’26; Schirmeyer, T.G. ’27; and Worth, F.R. ’37.

From the December 1938 Shipmate article [re: October meeting]… Whiteford, Randolph, and Parrott recently located in Houston and we were pleased to have them at the meeting.  There are about fifteen Naval Academy Alumni in Houston ranging from Mr. Maxey’s class, 1884, to Felix Davis, 1939.  A.F. Carter, 1905, and D.W. Moore, 1921, are associated with oil companies located in Houston, but found it impossible to attend our first meeting.

U.S.S. Arkansas visited Galveston for Navy Day and some of the Houston Alumni made a trip to Galveston to visit classmates and friends in the regular Navy.  Lt. E.W. Lamons, ’27, now on the U.S.S. Arkansas, spent the week-end with his former roommate, T.G. Schirmeyer, ’27, who is practicing law in Houston.  It has been about ten years since they had the occasion to see each other.  By the way, Lamons has only been married about four weeks.  Logan, ’26, is visiting his folds at Houston.  He is on thirty-day leave after serving a tour of duty in the Asiatics.  Michaux, ’22 is expected to spend some time with his relatives in Houston in a few weeks when he returns to the States from Asiatic duty.

We are very anxious to have Naval Academy Alumni in this vicinity get in touch with the Houston Branch.  This can be done by calling the Secretary, T.G. Schirmeyer, either at his home or at his office.  All itinerant Academy men passing through Houston are urged to check in with the Houston Branch because it is always possible to get several of the members together and make your visit a pleasant one.  For information concerning the Houston Branch, communicate with T.G. Schirmeyer, Cotton Exchange Bldg.

Other interesting chapter facts:

  • First President: J. B. Spanger, ’23
  • Chapter changed from “Houston” to “Texas Gulf Coast” in 1 quarter 1975
Nov
2
Fri
Nov. Lunch @ Tony Mandola's
Nov 2 @ 11:30 – 13:00

TxGC MEMBERS ALWAYS GET $5 OFF!

  • Advance purchase online: $30 ($25 for TxGC members)
  • Week-of-event & walk-ups*: $35 ($30 for TxGC members)
    • *if seats available
  • TxGC Member discount is provided by a discount code via member-only newsletter

MENU

  • Ice tea, water, soda, cash bar
  • Choice of Sicilian salad or Mama’s gumbo
  • Choice of entree
    • Chicken John Kim: grilled chicken topped in mushrooms, roasted peppers, white wine butter sauce
    • Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce: traditional penne pasta with Mama’s slow cooked meat sauce
    • Blacked Trout: filet topped with etoufee served with red-skinned mashed potatoes and vegetables
  • Choice of chocolate cake or cheesecake

Featured Speaker: Richard W. Murray, Ph.D.

We usually call on Richard Murray when an election is near and politics are on our mind. Certainly that is the case now, and Richard will weigh in on the Kavanaugh//Ford situation, as well as his views on everything from Beto v. Cruz to other key state and national races.

Bob Lanier Chair in Urban Public Policy, Department of Political Science, University of Houston

Director, Survey Research Institute, University of Houston Center for Public Policy

Richard Murray is a native of Louisiana with B.A. and M.A. degrees in Government from Louisiana State University (1962, 1963) and a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Minnesota (1967). Dr. Murray has taught at the University of Houston since 1966, and is the Bob Lanier Chair in Urban Public Policy. After serving as the Director of the University of Houston Center for Public Policy for over nine years, he is now concentrating on the Center’s polling operations as the Director of the Survey Research Institute.

His academic interests are in Houston and Texas politics, focusing on campaigns and elections, political parties and interest groups, and public opinion. Professor Murray has written extensively in these areas including co-authoring Texas Politics: An Introduction (6 Editions, 1972-1992), and Progrowth Politics: Change and Governance in Houston (1991), while teaching courses ranging from graduate seminars to introductory American Government.

Professor Murray has previously consulted in more than 200 political campaigns. He conducts polls for The Houston Chronicle, other media, and local governments, and is the political commentator for the local ABC affiliate, KTRK-TV, Channel 13. In addition, his analyses and commentary are carried by television and radio, as well as print media such as The New York Times, Washington Post, L.A. Times, and The Houston Chronicle.

Professor Murray is married to Deborah Hartman, public relations consultant, and has three sons and one grandson.

Nov
12
Mon
Army-Navy Golf Scramble @ Hermann Park Golf Course
Nov 12 @ 08:00 – 14:00
Please join us for a day of golf, friendly competition, networking, lunch, and camaraderie.
  • Check-in 7:30 AM
  • Shotgun start 8:00 AM
  • Lunch & awards 12:30 PM
  • Private room, sports TV, drinks
Format
  • Two man (Pair scramble). Army vs. Navy Pairs.
  • Each foursome will consist of two pairings – one Navy and one Army.
  • The pairings will compete within their foursome as well as overall
  • Bogie is your friend
  • Pairings and pairing opponents are established for fair competition via handicap calculation by Rick Bush USNA ’69 (rpb2801@att.net or 832.282.7512)
  • Pairings per balanced handicap is designed to foster networking and camaraderie. Meet someone new! However, If you have a preferred pairing partner, feel free to request him/her.
Awards 
  • Longest Drive = 2 chances to win
  • Closest to the Hole = 2 chances to win
  • Army vs Navy Winner will be determined by # of Navy pairings wins vs. # of Army pairings wins. Winning Society will hold the trophy until next year.
  • Low Pair Score Overall = 1 winner and holder of trophy until next tournament Second and Third Low Pair Winners
Registration
Register as an Individual = $75.00
Lunch ONLY, NO GOLF = $20.00
Sponsorships/Donations
Sponsor a Hole for $250.00
Sponsor the Tournament for $500.00
(includes one green fee)
Donations for door prizes welcome!
All proceeds from this event will be split equally to each society’s foundation to further their missions.
Registration Deadline
Tuesday, November 6th, 2018
Questions?
Dee Bryant, USMA ’85
DeeBryant@msn.com
(832) 738-8748
or
Rick Bush, USNA ’69
Dec
8
Sat
Army vs. Navy Official Game Party @ Warehouse Live
Dec 8 @ 12:00 – 16:30

The official party of the USNA AA Tx Gulf Coast Chapter & West Point Club of Greater Houston

  • Presented by Combined Arms
  • Saturday December 8, 12:00 to 16:30
  • Warehouse Live! 813 St. Emanuel Street, Houston
  • Free for all to attend
  • Food & Drink Specials
  • Prizes & raffle
  • Donations & Sponsorships welcome – benefits Combined Arms (a Veterans Service Organization, 501c3), the USNA AA TxGC Foundation (a 501c3), & West Point Club of Greater Houston
  • Please RSVP (or donate) via the green button

On Saturday, December 8, Combined Arms will welcome the greater Houston community—veterans, active military and civilians alike—for a family friendly afternoon including games, food, craft beer and football. This game is a show of mutual respect and solidarity, and a time for veterans United After The Uniform to come together with non-military and celebrate our city, our traditions and our country.The event will start at 12:00 at Warehouse Live, with the official game kickoff at 2:00.

Jan
3
Thu
Smith-McCool Award Lunch @ Taste of Texas
Jan 3 @ 11:00 – 13:00
Smith-McCool Award Lunch @ Taste of Texas

In January, each year, the TxGC Foundation awards the Smith-McCool Sword to the Midshipment from the Chapter area, with the highest order-of-merit, going into their First Class year.  The sword, is named after astronaut Michael Smith ’67, who was lost in the Challenger disaster, and astronaut William McCool ’83, who was lost int he Columbia disaster.

For the graduating class of 2019, we’re proud to award Midn 1/c Francis Kim of Clear Lake High School.  Link to full biography

Presenting Astronaut, and keynote by Sunita Williams (Captain, US Navy, Ret.) NASA Astronaut.  Link to full biography

TxGC MEMBERS ALWAYS GET $5 OFF!

  • Advance purchase online: $30 ($25 for TxGC members)
  • Week-of-event & walk-ups*: $35 ($30 for TxGC members)
    • *if seats available
  • TxGC Member discount is provided by a discount code via member-only newsletter

 

Feb
1
Fri
Feb Monthly Lunch: Anne Keene @ Tony Mandola's Gulf Coast Kitchen
Feb 1 @ 11:30 – 13:00

TxGC MEMBERS ALWAYS GET $5 OFF!

  • Advance purchase online: $30 ($25 for TxGC members)
  • Week-of-event & walk-ups*: $35 ($30 for TxGC members)
    • *if seats available
  • TxGC Member discount is provided by a discount code via member-only newsletter

MENU

  • Ice tea, water, soda, cash bar
  • Choice of Sicilian salad or Mama’s gumbo
  • Choice of entree
    • Chicken John Kim: grilled chicken topped in mushrooms, roasted peppers, white wine butter sauce
    • Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce: traditional penne pasta with Mama’s slow cooked meat sauce
    • Blacked Trout: filet topped with etoufee served with red-skinned mashed potatoes and vegetables
  • Choice of chocolate cake or cheesecake

GUEST SPEAKER

Anne Keene is the author of The Cloudbusters.

75 years ago the New York Yankees won the 1943 World Series but they were beaten by a Navy “fighter pilot” team known as the Cloudbuster Nine with Red Sox legend Ted Williams. As a child, Anne Keene’s father, Jim Raugh, (a future minor-league Detroit Tigers player) suited up as the Navy team’s batboy. Seven decades later a trunk revealed the untold story of this team manned by greats from the Yankees, the St. Louis Cardinals, the Detroit Tigers and every other big-league team. Learn about “Greatest Generation” heroes in this narrative including: Babe Ruth, Presidents George H. W. Bush and Gerald “Jerry” Ford; astronauts John Glenn and Scott Carpenter; and Alabama’s Paul “Bear” Bryant.

Keene has written about THE CLOUDBUSTERS in the New York Times, and her book was listed among the top 20 selling summer sports books on Amazon.  Keene has spoken at the Texas Book Festival, and has been on tour in Boston, Dallas, North Carolina, and New York.  She’s also been a keynote speaker at the South Carolina- Palmetto Chapter of the USNAAA, and will be speaking at the Los Angeles and San Diego Chapters.

By way of background, Keene is the granddaughter of a USNA graduate, class of 1926, who is central to the book.  She served as Press Secretary to the late House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton in the 1990s and she also had the privilege of serving as an appointee of President George W. Bush in 2001-02 in agency communications/speechwriting.  She is a journalism graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Keene co-owns an independent, ten-year-old Austin-based public affairs/public relations firm. Cloudbuster is her first published book; another book on the Civil War resides with a New York agent.
Feb
5
Tue
Beaumont Lunch @ Tia Juanita's Fish Camp
Feb 5 @ 11:00 – 12:30

Come join us, and meet your fellow SETX area Alumni.  No-host style lunch (pay your own way).  Bring a guest.  RSVP via email or text to John Augusto, or RSVP on our Facebook page to help us reserve the right size table.