Open Eye Media CEO, Lord Wesley M. Lewison IX (A Navy veteran), and his fiance Dr. Laura Drislane.
HOUSTON – When the federal government shutdown scuttled plans for Houston’s inaugural Fleet Week, it left a significant gap in the city’s plans to honor its service members. But in a move defined by military resilience, a team of veteran entrepreneurs has stepped in to ensure the mission of supporting veterans continues.
Leading the charge are key organizers Wesley Lewison IX, CEO of Open Eye Media, and Levi Bower, CEO of Aligned Operator, with Chris Fahey of the Stone River Recovery team directing the event’s wellness initiatives. Their VETxHouston event is now poised to become the centerpiece of the city’s veteran-focused activities.
The inaugural Fleet Week, slated for November 5-12, was officially postponed to 2026 due to “significant challenges” created by the shutdown, disappointing many in the community.
Instead of accepting the gap, the VETxHouston organizers are moving forward, pivoting their event—originally planned as part of the Fleet Week programming—into a standalone, veteran-led experience.
Wes Lewison, a Navy veteran whose company Open Eye Media is a co-organizer, was adamant that the postponement of one event would not halt the mission to serve the local community.
“Our mission has never been about ships in the harbor; it’s about the 300,000 veterans in the Greater Houston Area who have dedicated their lives to service,” said Lewison. “The decision by our veteran organizers to move forward reflects one of the defining values of the military: resilience. We don’t go into things expecting not to get hit, but to fight through it and get the job done.”
This Houston event is just the beginning. Organizers confirmed this initiative serves as the official launch of VETxUSA, a larger national movement. The team plans to use the successful Houston model as a blueprint to bring this platform for digital empowerment and holistic wellness to veteran communities in new cities across the country in the coming years.
CEO of The Aligned Operator, Levi Brower with his wife Breanna and their family.
VETxHouston is not a replacement for ship tours but a vital, mission-focused event designed to bridge the gap between service and civilian life. The two-day program is structured to provide tangible tools for veterans, focusing on digital innovation and holistic wellness.
Highlights of the event include:
- The Creator Space: A hands-on hub managed by Open Eye Media, offering media training, digital entrepreneurship guidance, and storytelling workshops.
- The Self-Care Sanctuary: A restorative environment led by Chris Fahey and the Stone River Recovery team, focused on mental health and providing mindfulness workshops, guided meditation, and resilience resources.
“VETx Houston exists to honor and empower veterans, to keep them moving forward with purpose,” Bower stated. “Continuing this event is a natural extension of what veterans do best: adapt, overcome, and deliver.”
While Houston must now wait until 2026 for the fanfare of Fleet Week, the decisive action from local veteran leaders like Lewison, Bower, and Fahey ensures that Houston’s commitment to its service members remains unwavering.
Visit vetxusa.com to learn more about their services, and follow the team on Instagram for the latest updates.
Instagram: VET X USA
Instagram: Levi Brower
Instagram: chris_fahey33
