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."
Would be oppressors should take note that although this building symbolizes a defeat in battle, but will forever be a symbol of defiance to tryants.
So may it forever be.
Ping
Hallowed ground. God Bless Texas.
Thanks (from us real Texans) for posting this.
I had no idea those brave warriors were Masons.
I am moved every time I see the flags of all the countries and all the states that those brave men represented.
“People that have never been to the Alamo cannot understand how such a small building can command such reverence from the citizens of the state.
Would be oppressors should take note that although this building symbolizes a defeat in battle, but will forever be a symbol of defiance to tryants.
So may it forever be. “
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I second that, as a Texas Born American.
We lost some GOOD men that day. Cong. David Crockett had the fortitude to actually stand up to the wrongs of his very popular president.
Some historians contend Congressman David Crockett’s political career ended because of his support for the Cherokee against President Jackson’s removal plans. Crockett explains his position in 1834:
“.......His famous, or rather I should say infamous, Indian bill was brought forward, and I opposed it from the purest motives in the world.
Several of my colleagues got around me, and told me how well they loved me, and that I was ruining myself. They said this was a favourite measure of the president, and I ought to go for it.
I told them I believed it was a wicked, unjust measure, and that I should go against it, let the cost to myself be what it might; that I was willing to go with General Jackson in everything that I believed was honest and right; but further than this I wouldn’t go for him, or any other man in the whole creation.
I voted against this Indian bill, and my conscience yet tells me that I gave a good honest vote, and that I believe will not make me ashamed in the day of judgment.”
I’m a 7th generation Texan, and every time I visit the Alamo I’m struck by the reverence I feel for what happened there.
Liberty fought and died for by men who came from Texas, other states and other countries.
Thanks go to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas for preserving the site.
Texas forever.
I was in San Antonio for a conference and only got to visit the Alamo at night, when it was closed. But even at night, it is a majestic presence.
I don’t think my liberal conference mates understood how thrilled and in awe I was to finally see the Alamo in person and to touch its walls. I’ve been around and seen a lot, but seeing the Alamo was certainly one of the highlights of my travels.
Remember Goliad.
About the Republic of Texas>
http://www.starmuseum.org/questions.htm
An article from the June 24, 1934 issue of the Dallas News by T. B. Baldwin relates the story of how Texas got its Lone Star. His story recounts the actions of Henry Smith, who became the first governor of pre-revolutionary Texas in 1835. “In Smith’s day overcoats had large brass buttons. It happened that the buttons on the coat of Governor Smith had the impress of a five-pointed star. A few days after he was inaugurated Governor, a messenger arrived with important papers. After reading and signing them the Governor said: “Texas should have a seal,” and forthwith he cut one of the big buttons from his overcoat and with sealing wax stamped the impress of the Lone Star upon the documents.”
It might also be noted that there may have been a Masonic influence to the adoption of a five-pointed star for Texas. George K. Teulon in Freemasons’ Monthly Magazine in 1844 noted, “Texas is emphatically a Masonic Country; all of our Presidents and Vice-President, and four-fifths of our State Officers were and are Masons: by Freemasonry to illustrate the moral virtues—it is a Five Pointed Star...May it ever bind us in the holy Bond of Fraternal Union and govern our social, Masonic, and Political intercourse.”
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None of this should surprise anyone.
Yes, Indeed. But more importantly remember San Jacinto!
Yes. Texas is not where you were born, but a State of Mind, Heart and Attitude.
Some of my ancestors were born in Texas during “The Republic”. But none the less, the above statement is still true. We are Texans not because of birth but because of loyalty to each other.
Similar to this. “Born American but in the wrong place”
http://www.claremont.org/publications/pubid.5/pub_detail.asp
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Some things never change, especially amoung people who love freedom, and defy tyrannts.
My wife and I went to the Alamo several years ago and I can’t explain the feelings that came over me, it is truly hollowed ground and those that died do live on as they have not been forgotten. We had planned on being there just a short time, well it ended up being hours, and more than worth it.
Even though I was born and raised in Iowa, and I’ve never been to Texas, I feel I have a lot more in common with Texan’s beliefs and their value system than I do with these darn Yankees!
Doug Sahm lyrics SOONER OR LATER:
“Everybody makes a promise, everybody breaks a promise, say we’re only human after all.
Toe to toe and eye to eye you take a stand you draw the line, pretty soon your back’s against
the wall. Then the bombs will fly, shootin’ stars across the sky by the dawn’s early light you
might be free.
“Sooner or later we’re all gonna’ make it to the Alamo. Ready or not there’s a battle to be won.
Are you coming with me to the Alamo? Sooner or later you’ve got to fight for what you love.
“Lord lead me to the Alamo. That’s where I want to go. Sooner or later I’m comin’ home.”
“remember San Jacinto!”
Yep, don’t mess with Texas - we kick ass.
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