On May 17, 2025, Deb and I were guests of The Bryan Museum in Galveston, Texas. We were there for its Distinguished Speaker event, which was created to recognize an “intellect (writer, teacher, speaker, influencer) who has distinguished him or herself as an outstanding and eloquent advocate for the preservation and promotion of the history and culture of the state of Texas and the American West.”
The evening included an intimate armchair conversation between me and Mr. J. P. Bryan, the museum’s founder and Executive Director of the Texas State Historical Association. We discussed my early influences, the importance of books, reading, and the preservation of our unique heritage.
Following our sit-down, Mr. Bryan presented me the museum’s Texas Frontier Gold Medal Award, given to individuals who have made “significant contributions to the history and culture of Texas, particularly in the context of its frontier era.” The honor pays homage to the gold medal presented to Alphonso Steele, the last surviving participant of the Battle of San Jacinto.
My heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Bryan and the staff of The Bryan Museum who worked so hard to craft such a memorable occasion.