if you have time, read about pegleg. no one can hold a candle to pegleg ward. that's all i have to say. i appreciate y'all being here. god bless texas. thank you. [ applause ] >> we're already ahead of time. we have a distinguished group of speakers today. introducing the first one right now, just to remind you, we will have half-hour lecture, speech, talk and then a q & a period. we have two microphones in a room. if you have a question at the end, please raise your hand. let us get a microphone to you so you can be heard by everybody else and so you can be recorded by c-span. it's my "pleasure to introduce dr. gene allen smith. he's the professor of history at texas christian university at ft. worth. he is author or editor of seven books and numerous articles and reviews on american naval history. he also serves as director of studies at tcu and curator of history at the ft. worth museum of science and history. h please help me welcome dr. smith. [ applause ] >> thank you so much. it's a pleasure to be here today. i need something a little taller. my mom alwa