National Maritime Historical Society’s 2012 Gala Annual Awards Dinner Salutes Leaders in Maritime Heritage
The National Maritime Historical Society will host its 2012 Annual Awards Dinner on Wednesday, 10 October 2012 at the New York Yacht Club in New York City. The NMHS Distinguished Service Award, for outstanding contributions in the maritime field, will be presented to Admiral Sir Jonathon Band GCB DL, Captain Brian A. McAllister, and Captain Don Walsh, USN (Ret.), PhD. The David A. O’Neil Sheet Anchor Award, recognizing the contributions of those who further the work of the Society, will be given to Thomas F. Daly.
Admiral Sir Jonathon Band GCB DL is the Royal Navy’s former First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff (2006-2009). He is currently Chairman of the National Museum of the Royal Navy. In his position at the National Museum of the Royal Navy, he led the successful effort to save the flagship of Admiral Lord Nelson, HMS Victory, the oldest navy ship in commission. The award to Admiral Band is for his extraordinary success in preserving and drawing public attention to the tangible evidence of maritime history.
Captain Brian A. McAllister, a graduate of SUNY Maritime College at Fort Schuyler, served in the US Navy, at one point as the Executive Officer on USS Lake County (LST 880). Today he is the principal owner and president of McAllister Towing and Transportation Company, Inc., one of the nation’s oldest and most diversified marine towing and transportation companies, operating an extensive fleet of more than 75 tugs, barges, and ferries in the major ports on the East Coast. Captain McAllister will be cited for his lifetime work promoting maritime history to the shipping community.
Captain Don Walsh, USN (Ret.), PhD, has participated in diving operations with more than two dozen manned submersibles since 1959, piloting seven of them. Designated USN Deep Submersible Pilot #1, he was the first Officer-in-Charge of the bathyscaphe Trieste at the Navy Electronics Laboratory in San Diego. In January 1960 he and Jacques Piccard dove Trieste to the deepest place in the World Ocean: 35,840 feet. Captain Don Walsh will be honored for his lifetime commitment to educating the public and the academic community about the importance of ocean exploration.
Thomas F. Daly has been an active trustee, secretary, and chair of the Audit Committee, as well as serving on several other vital committees of the National Maritime Historical Society. His contributions to the Society extend to sharing his vast knowledge of the history of piloting at a Charles Point Council seminar and advising NMHS in legal matters. Mr. Daly was a commissioner of the New Jersey State Pilotage Commission and a trustee of Sandy Hook Foundation.
To commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812, Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr., Commandant of the US Coast Guard, will speak on the US Revenue Cutter Service in the War of 1812.
Richard T. du Moulin, award-winning yachtsman, chairman of The Seamen’s Church Institute, and previous recipient of the NMHS Distinguished Service Award, and Clay Maitland, NMHS chairman emeritus and trustee, managing partner of International Registries, Inc., and recipient of the David A. O’Neil Sheet Anchor Award in 2006, will be Joint Masters of Ceremonies. The US Coast Guard Academy Cadet Chorale, directed by Dr. Robert Newton, will provide the evening’s entertainment.
This year’s dinner co-chairs are Karen Helmerson and CAPT Sally McElwreath, USNR (Ret.).
About the National Maritime Historical Society and Annual Awards Dinner: Founded in 1963, the National Maritime Historical Society (NMHS) is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to preserving and promoting America’s maritime traditions. The Society’s mission is to raise awareness of our nation’s maritime heritage and the role seafaring has played in shaping civilization. The Society’s initiatives encompass publications, educational programs, sail training and preservation of historic ships. The Society communicates with its members through its quarterly publication Sea History, recognized as the pre-eminent journal of advocacy and education in the field. The NMHS website, www.seahistory.org, provides valuable information about maritime resources, art and artists, and upcoming conferences and other events. The National Maritime Historical Society will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2013 with programs, receptions, and activities throughout the country.
The Annual Awards Dinner is the Society’s major fundraiser, benefiting the work of the Society in preserving America’s maritime heritage. The Society is in a unique position of being able to focus attention and recognition on innovative programs and effective leaders in the maritime heritage field through its awards program. The gala event takes place at the historic New York Yacht Club in Manhattan, a magnificent Beaux-Arts landmark. Reception is at 5:30 PM in the Grill Room, with dinner at 7:00 PM in the Model Room.
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NATIONAL MARITIME HISTORICAL SOCIETY
www.seahistory.org
5 John Walsh Boulevard P.O. Box 68 Peekskill NY 10566 914-737-7878