Attractions

SURVIVOR ALL-STAR RUDY AT THE 2005 HOUSTON BOAT SHOW Since finishing in third place on the first season of the popular show, Survivor, Rudy Boesch has become one of the most beloved characters in reality television history. The 2005 Houston International Boat, Sport and Travel Show is proud to host Rudy for a meet-and-greet appearance at their show on Saturday, January 15th from 3-7pm. Rudy joined the Navy in April of 1945 and immediately volunteered for "secret and hazardous duty" with the Amphibious Scouts and Raiders, highly classified naval commando units. In 1951, six years after Scout and Raider training in Fort Pierce, Florida, Rudy completed UDT (Underwater Demolition Teams) training in Little Creek, Virginia, and was assigned to UDT-2 (redesigned as UDT-21 in 1953). He remained in UDT-21 for the next 11 years. During this period, he completed numerous specialized schools and was deployed routinely to the Mediterranean and Caribbean areas with the Naval Amphibious Forces. He became a proficient combat swimmer and expert in small-boat operations. In 1962, he was one of the 50 hand-selected men of the original SEAL (Sea-Air-Land) Team TWO, becoming one of their most distinguished members. In 1967, Rudy was advanced to the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer and, between combat tours, served as the senior enlisted position of Command Master Chief. From 1968-1970, Rudy completed two combat deployments to Vietnam. Among the numerous awards he won the Bronze Star Medal for heroic action during more than 45 combat operations. During and after his stint in Vietnam, Rudy was delegated the "Chief SEAL" and set physical and operational standards at SEAL Team TWO. In the late 1980s, Rudy became the Naval Special Warfare Community "Bull Frog," a distinguishing award presented to the SEAL serving the longest time on active duty. Instead of retiring, Rudy was selected as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to USSOCOM. In August of 1988, Rudy headed to Tampa, Florida and entered into the "inner circle" of the Special Operations Command to advise on all enlisted matters of the Joint command. For his extraordinary performance, Rudy was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, an award not often given to an enlisted man. Master Chief Rudy retired from the U.S. Navy after completing more than 45 years of continuous active duty. He was honorably discharged on August 1, 1990. In 1992, he captained a 38' power boat during the "Americas Cup 1992" event. In 1996, he captained a support boat at the Summer Olympic Games. He continues his public service dedication as a volunteer for the Red Cross and the Virginia Beach Police Department. He also is a founding member of the UDT-SEAL Association and once served as their President. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Special Operations Fund and Naval Special Warfare Foundation. Rudy will appear with an authentic military boat courtesy of Zodiac. Come meet and get your photo taken with one of America's treasures and reality TV's hottest stars on January 15th from three o'clock to seven o'clock at the 2005 Houston International Boat, Sport and Travel Show at the Reliant Center.

 

       
JANUARY 7 - 16, 2005   -   THE RELIANT CENTER
HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL BOAT, SPORT AND TRAVEL SHOW