My name is Robert Register and for over twenty years I have studied the formative years of the Gulf Coast in earnest. I am writing to you because I am particularly interested in contacting others who have a significant interest in honoring the Deep South's role in the War of 1812 and in rediscovering the fascinating stories of the lives of those who first planted the American Flag upon the shores of the Gulf of Mexico 200 years ago. Not only do we have a chance to clarify some of the more complex issues associated with the War of 1812 but the promotion of this bicentennial celebration of the people, places and events of THE WAR OF 1812 promises to have a lasting impact through the benefits associated with increased heritage tourism in the Deep South.

With NOLA NAVY WEEK (Tuesday, April 17-Sunday, April 22) fast approaching http://nolanavyweek.com/, only a two week window of opportunity now exists to promote this inaugural event in the celebration of THE BICENTENNIAL OF THE WAR OF 1812. We on the Gulf Coast should be honored that the first of 2012's six Tall Ship Regattas http://www.opsail.org/ will be held in New Orleans this April. We have a once in a lifetime chance to see the types of ships that shaped world history two hundred years ago during the War of 1812 and one, the HMS Hermes, has now rested below the water off Alabama's Ft. Morgan Peninsula for almost 198 years. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Hermes_(1811).
Beginning on Tuesday, April 17, visitors to New Orleans can see the tall ships similar to the ones that sailed our waters two centuries ago http://www.opsail.org/tall-ships-gallery.php and are the basis for recent major motion pictures such as 2003's MASTER AND COMMANDER starring Russell Crowe. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E794rTPa4nA&feature=related

If there is any way I can assist you in preparing an article promoting NOLA NAVY WEEK, please contact me.
You may also be interested in reading Courtney Haden's interview with me in this week's WELD FOR BIRMINGHAM where we discuss the importance of our celebration of THE WAR OF 1812 BICENTENNIAL.
http://weldbham.com/blog/2012/03/28/bicentennial-fever-revisited/

Also feel free to examine my blog, ZERO, NORTHWEST FLORIDA http://robertoreg.blogspot.com/ for information pertaining to this important commemoration.

Best,
Robert Register