Meet Our Speakers

Emil Faltisek, Jr.

Born on March 31, 1926, Emil Faltisek, Jr. graduated from East Bernard High School and left for Houston to enlist in the Air Force Reserve along with his cousin, Buran Keprta.  His parents, Emil and Helen Keprta, had taught him the importance of freedom and a love for his country.   At only age seventeen, young Emil was about to quickly learn a complete new way of life.  His vivid memory of his war-time experiences as a B-17 tail gunner will be enthusiastically shared with our attendees.  While two planes were shot up, they were never shot down.  He received his honorable discharge on January 31, 1946, went to work on a seismograph crew in the Gulf of Mexico, and later began a 39-year career with the Dow Chemical Company as an Instrument Technician.  In his retirement he spends much of his time enjoying woodworking and is an expert carpenter.  Still taking pride in his country, this World War II Veteran shares his stories about his time in the military as a featured speaker in the Brazosport community, and on Houston radio programs.  

Caroll Brincefield

Caroll Brincefield was raised in Corpus Christi, Texas.  Her family came to Texas in the early 1800s, settling in DeWitt and Lavaca County.  She can trace her family history back to one of the first settlers of Jamestown and on to the first settlers of Texas. Ms. Brincefield received her Bachelor of Science in History and Anthropology and her Masters of Arts in History at Central Missouri State University.  She continued her studies at Texas State University taking a second discipline of Geography/GIS. Ms. Brincefield  was an instructor of World History, World Geography, and American History and Economics for Corpus Christi Independent School District and a sponsor of the Government and Youth Club in conjunction with the Corpus Christi YMCA and CCISD.    Ms. Brincefield lectures throughout Texas on numerous historical topics.

Doug Kubicek

Doug Kubicek, is a native Texian, born and raised in Shiner, Texas.  He graduated from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville with a degree in U. S. History and Cultural Geography.  He is a 40 year member of the Texas Historical Commission and Lavaca County Historical Commission and is currently serving as the chairperson and Archeological Steward.  He is a charter member of the Texas Czech Genealogical Society and the Czech Heritage Society of Texas.  Mr. Kubicek specializes in Lavaca County History and Cultural Geography.   Rrecently he has been conducting research into the role that Lavaca County played in World War I.  Some of his projects include Black Land Farmers; Lavaca County in World War I and  One of FDR’s Ugly Duckling:  The Story of the USS Lavaca in World War II. His presentation today is a result of this new found interest.