GALVESTON, Texas -- Lynn Alperin (center) is received at a gala event at Galveston's Ashton Villa, November 18, 1977. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District, the Galveston Chamber of Commerce, and the Galveston Historical Foundation sponsored the event to celebrate the publication of Alperin's book, "Custodians of the Coast." For a long time, her book was considered required reading for incoming district commanders.