Charles E. Hawkins Squadron, Texas Navy Association

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Charles E. Hawkins Squadron, Texas Navy Association

We are about Texas, marine and nautical life, and history. We are the Galveston, Texas Squadron promoting and preserving the history of The Texas Navy.

08/09/2026

Texian Navy Day 2026
September 18-19, 2026
Galveston, Texas

FULL SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH
5:30 pm
TEXIAN NAVY DAY 2026 COMMENCES
Texas Navy Day honors the Texas Navy 1836-1845
Proclamation and Wreath Laying
McGuire Dent Recreation Center Monument
Located at 27th and Seawall Blvd.

SATURDAV, SEPTEMBEAISTH
10:30 am
Galveston's Historical Pier 21
TEXAS NAVY ASSOCIATION HOSTS COMMISIONING
CEREMONY
Commemoration remembering the Texas Navy 1835 to Present
Texas Navy Association hosts Wreath Laying Ceremony and
Commissioning

11:00 am
DECORATED BOAT PARADE
Witness History as a spectator or actively intertwine with
Galveston maritime history as a participant.
Spectator viewing will be located along Pier 21 as the TNA
provides commentary broadcast of the pass and review.
The parade will feature decorated Military, Government
Agency, Commercial, and Research vessels as well as
recreational.

To register your Ship or Boat go to
BOAT PARADE REGISTRATION at texasnavy.org

Noon - 5:00 pm
TEXAS HISTORY EXHIBIT AND STATIC DISPLAYS
This Extraordinary Expo showcasing a variety of historic
organizations, boat displays, and interactive exhibits and
displays highlighting exciting Education, Technology, Training
and Career paths.

Music I Food I Fun I Cold Beverages
Bands throughout starting at 1pm
The Line Up
Kevin Anthony + G-Town

"The Texas Navy Associat ion is a 501(c)3 non-profit organizat ion. Your donation "and/or' registration supports our mission to Preserve, Protect and Promote Texas Navy history."

07/13/2026

Hawkins Squadron Meeting

6 p.m. Thursday, July 16, 2026
McCullough Room
Rosenberg Library, Galveston

The Hawkins Squadron of the Texas Navy Association will have its next regular meeting on Thursday evening, July 16 in the McCullough Room at Rosenberg Library in Galveston. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m., and is free and the public is invited to attend.

Thursday’s program will include the Hawkins Squadron’s winner in the 2026 Texas Navy Essay Contest, Vala S. of Llano, who will present via Zoom her essay, “The Battle of Campeche.” The meeting will also feature an update on Texian Navy Day (September 19) by Adm. Tammy Lobaugh, Chairperson for Special Events for the Texas Navy Association. Finally, there will be a preview of upcoming squadron elections of officers to be held later in the fall.

While in the library, visitors are urged to visit Trustees Hall on the fourth floor, that currently features the exhibition, “Setting Sail: Highlights from the Rosenberg Library's Maritime Collection.” The exhibition includes rare items from the historic Texas Navy, including a sword, navigational instruments, and a formal portrait of Norman Hurd, who served as a purser (business manager) in the Navy from 1836 until Annexation.

The Charles E Hawkins Squadron is the local Galveston chapter of the Texas Navy Association, a nonprofit educational organization that works to preserve and promote the history and legacy of the Navy and Marine Corps of the Republic of Texas, 1835-46. The Hawkins Squadron meets on the third Thursday in odd-numbered months, and meetings are always open to the public.

05/18/2026

The Charles E. Hawkins Squadron in Galveston is pleased to announce the winner of its 2026 Texas Navy Essay Contest, Vala S. of Llano Junior High School in Llano, Texas. Vala is a student in Ms. Nichole Ritchie’s seventh grade Texas History class.

The Hawkins Squadron was contacted a few weeks ago with a request to consider entries from LJHS, as Ms. Ritchie anticipated numerous submissions to the contest. After some deliberation, and considering that Hawkins did not receive any local entries in the first two years of the contest in 2024 and 2025, I decided to accept the LJHS essays instead. (I believe three other Texas Navy Squadrons did, as well.)

We received three essays from LJHS on the assigned topic of the Battle of Campeche. Vala scored the highest overall, and was ranked highest by four of the five Hawkins Squadron judges. (The fifth scored her essay a close second.)

Our Hawkins Squadron volunteer judges were Becki Hall, Michael Wonio, Diane Wonio, Lou MacBeth, and myself. Thanks, y’all!

In addition to the cash prize, Vala received a one-of-a-kind print on canvas of an original painting by Grzegorz Nawrocki of the Battle of Campeche, now in a private collection. The Hawkins Squadron received kind permission to reproduce this image as a print for this purpose from the historian who commissioned it, naval historian Kazimierz Zygadlo (thanks, Kaz!). The two runners-up received reproduction Texas Navy Ensigns, and all received formal certificates recognizing their work.

Vala’s essay now goes forward to the TNA Education Committee’s statewide competition, along with the first place essays of the other squadrons. The statewide winner will be announced on July 1, 2026.

Congratulations, Vala, and thanks to Ms. Ritchie for encouraging her students!

Andy Hall

05/07/2026

FLEET WEEK SUNRISE SALUTE SHIRTS

Available for Re-Order:

This attractive collector’s item sold out during the Sunrise Salute at Seawolf Park. If you were unable to purchase one, please take advantage of this one-time preorder opportunity. Orders must be submitted by noon Saturday, May 9.

Particulars: White shirt, brand Gildan, front left chest is the TNA logo badge, back of shirt is the Sunrise Salute Parade of Ships logo.

Cost: $30 each including tax. Please add $9.95 for shipping for each overall order.

https://texasnavy.com/event-6679623?CalendarViewType=0&SelectedDate=5%2F6%2F2026

04/20/2026

A big BRAVO ZULU goes out to Texas Navy Adm. Linda Elting, Squadron Commander of the Sam Houston Squadron, for the wonderful Fleet Week Houston Dinner she and her colleagues at Lakewood Yacht Club organized on Sunday evening. As Fleet Week Houston moves into its final days, it's clear the event has been a tremendous success for Houston, Galveston, and their surrounding communities.

Here, Texas Navy Association President Kat Howell (center) presents resolutions honoring Fleet Week Houston to flag- and Commanding officers (l. to r.): Commander Arthur Bond, USN, USS MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL (LCS-21); Brigadier General David C. Hyman, USMC, Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Western Recruiting Region; Commander Lee Shewmake, USN, USS ST. LOUIS (LCS-19); and Rear Admiral Kimberly Walz, USN, Reserve Director Maritime Operations, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

Photo by Texas Navy Adm. Neil Chatelain.

04/11/2026

NOTICE TO MARINERS SUNRISE SALUTE SHIP PARADE

04/09/2026

Texas Navy Friends:

We’re less than one week out from Fleet Week Houston’s Sunrise Salute at Seawolf Park in Galveston on Wednesday morning, April 15.

Please join the Texas Navy Association at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, April 15, for a Sunrise Salute to Navy Fleet Week at Seawolf Park at the far eastern end of Pelican Island. The event is free and open to the public.

The event will begin at 7 a.m., with a brief ceremony recognizing the ships, officers, and crews participating in Fleet Week, followed by the Parade of Ships past Seawolf Park by the four ships formally participating in the event. The vessels currently scheduled to participate are USS KEARSARGE (LHD-3), USS MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL (LCS-21), USS COOPERSTOWN (LCS-23), and USCGC EDGAR CULBERTSON (WPC-1137). EDGAR CULBERTSON is a Sentinel-class Coast Guard Cutter, and homeported in Galveston.

The Sunrise Salute will include a ceremony of music, Texas Navy Proclamation, City of Galveston Proclamation, the Parade of Ships, and flyovers by current military and vintage aircraft.

Free event parking at Seawolf Park is available for persons attending this event.

We still need a few Texas Navy volunteers to assist with guiding visitors and distributing TNA promotional material. If you can volunteer from 0630 to 0830, please shoot me an e-mail or DM me on Facebook.

Hope to see y’all there!

Andy Hall

04/05/2026

It's great to see Jasper Holmes get the credit for coming up with the "AF" ruse that exposed the Japanese attack on Midway, that turned out to be a critical turning point in the Pacific War.

It's good, too, to see the story of Herm Kossler's never-delivered bottle of scotch, that Holmes described in his autobiography. (IIRC Ned Beach mentioned Holmes's practice in one of his books, too.)

CAVALLA is now part of the Galveston Naval Museum, and a couple of years ago the local Texas Navy Squadron presented the museum with a bottle of scotch in memory of Holmes's tradition, that is now displayed in the CO's cabin on board.

Address

Galveston, TX

Telephone

+1 832-848-2151

Website

http://www.texasnavy.org/

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