Posted on 03/04/2010 2:16:39 PM PST by Texas Fossil
The Alamo should be remembered as the place where the Mexican Army, under command of General Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna, stormed a former Mexican mission defended by a band of Texans fighting for their independence. Among the defenders were our Masonic Brothers James Bonham, Jim Bowie, David Crockett, Almaron Dickenson and Col. William Barrett Travis.
In rooms where priests had prayed, bayonets clashed with Bowie Knives and swords. Musket and cannon fire tore into the Texan defenders. By dawn, all the Texan combatants lay dead. Their sacrifice, on March 6, 1836, would immortalize them as legends, and turn the Alamo grounds into Sacred Ground.
Each year more than three million Americans visit the Alamo. For many of the visitors, who gaze with reverence at the paintings and exhibits, the Alamo is more shrine than historic monument. They have come to the Alamo to honor those whose death gave birth to a Republic.
Brother William Barrett Travis, Commander of the Alamo garrison, is said to have drawn a line in thesand requesting all who would stay and fight to: "step across the line." He drew that line not only in the sand, but into the hearts and minds of every Texas Mason.
Many months after the battle, the charred remains of the Alamo defenders were laid to rest not far from the Alamo itself. Presiding at the ceremony was Brother Juan Sequin. The words he spoke at the interment speak to us even today:
"The spirit of liberty appears to be looking down from it's elevated throne saying: Behold your Brothers: Crockett, Bowie, Travis. They preferred to die a thousand times rather than submit themselves to the tyrants yoke. Their sacrifices are worthy of inclusion in the pages of history. What a brilliant example for others to follow."
If you have not had the opportunity to visit the Alamo, please do so at your earliest possible convenience. The Daughter's of the Republic of Texas have lovingly turned the Alamo Mission into a shrine. It remains to this day a shrine to the heroes of Texas liberty. The veneration of the defenders reached a new height in 1939 with the dedication of The Alamo Cenotaph. Towering sixty feet above the Alamo, the monument's theme is: "The Spirit of Sacrifice". Statues of the principal defenders, and the names of all the Texans who died at the Alamo, are carved into the granite foundation. During your visit, you will find that the Alamo is a powerful place. It's a place filled with legends and memories. It's a place we all should go think about our own potential, about what we need to sacrifice so that we can keep the fraternity on the road that those men fought to preserve.
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One of the few who survived the massacre at the Alamo was Mrs. Almaron Dickenson (Suzanna) who had been advised by her husband to display his Masonic apron over herself and the child during and after the battle. Santa Anna saw to her needs and even offered to adopt her child. She declined the offer declaring that she would "crawl and work her fingers to the bone to support the baby, but that she would rather see the child starve than given into the hands of the author of so much horror."
My great grandfather was a Mason and a Grand Wizard. My Grandfather was a 32 degree Mason and his daughter, my Mother, was in the teen organization (sorority?).
I was never brought into the fold and was discouraged from reading the Masonic *bible*. Still don’t know to this day why.
Maybe you would like to tell me where they teach about Freemasonry (in regard to US history) in school? Cause it isn’t obvious.
All I know is it’s some sort of secret society with even more secret members.
See post # 41 and please tell me where I would of learned anything about Freemasonry in school.
Going to school in central Texas back in the 70s, it was simply not talked about. (even in my own house)
Membership is published (in this country). Although it is often described as a secret society, we have many public functions. Generally we have not sought publicity like many organizations. We have out faults like all organizations of men, but do not believe all the negative tripe you hear from outside groups. Many mis-informed religious groups have gone on witch hunts with little knowledge and a preconceived agenda.
An example was the Southern Baptist Convention 20 or so years ago. They payed to have an examination done by a researcher and then did not accept his conclusions because it did not meet their pre-conceived notions. I had exchanges with them then, because my family have been Southern Baptists for many generations and also Masons.
There is not a "Masonic Bible", I have one that is simply a KJV bible with some pages added related to freemasonry.
I have been a Mason since I was 21 and am now 62. I appologize to no man for my association. Feel much more confident of out positive contribution to Texas and this nation than I did when I was 21.
Thought you might like this. Have a good one.
My GG Uncle
Indeed. Thanks for the ping!
“Whomever The Alamo’s caretakers are, (city of San Antonio?), they do a magnificent job.”
The Daughters of the Republic of Texas do - here’s their website.
I'm a naturalized Texan, but I've told my three kids that despite all my faults, they'll forever thank me for the following:
1. I made sure they were born in Texas, and
2. I taught them all how to swim.
Anything else is just icing on the cake.
What an awesome parent you are!!!
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