Posted on 03/06/2007 7:44:05 AM PST by WestTexasWend
PEOPLE WHO HAVE grown up with freedom and enjoyed it all of their lives may have a difficult time understanding the driving, passionate desire for liberty in the hearts of people who do not have it. One need look no further than the Alamo, which fell to Santa Anna's army on this date in 1836, for a vivid example of such passion.
The 189 defenders of the Alamo are legendary - not just in Texas but around the world - for their valor and heroism in the face of overwhelming odds. But underlying that death-defying courage was a love of freedom. It was what drove them.
Their sacrifice was instrumental in bringing the precious commodity of freedom to the residents of Texas in 1836 and to all the people who have lived in the Republic of Texas and the Lone Star State in the 171 years since the Alamo.
The 13-day siege of the Alamo has significance far beyond the mere drama of a heroic last stand. It was crucial to the independence of Texas in several ways.
Because the siege occupied Santa Anna and his army, the Alamo defenders provided the 59 delegates of the Convention of 1836 with the time to assemble and to draft and adopt the Declaration of Independence that marked the birth of Texas.
And the battle of the Alamo reduced the size of Santa Anna's army by about 600 troops. Sam Houston's army was badly outnumbered in the Battle of San Jacinto 46 days later - 783 men to an estimated 1,500 in the Mexican army - but it would have been far worse and perhaps insurmountable without the Alamo.
Finally, the Alamo and Santa Anna's massacre at Goliad on March 27, 1836, emotionally incited the Texas fighters, who shouted "Remember the Alamo" and "Remember Goliad" at San Jacinto.
While Texas Independence Day on March 2 and San Jacinto Day on April 21 are holidays of celebration, Alamo Day is one of somber remembrance and respect for the men who gave their lives for the freedom of Texas.
The 189 heroes of the Alamo would never return home and would never savor the freedom they helped win, but they forever changed the future of Texas. May they always be remembered.
What!?
I wonder how long it will take before the monuments at San Jacinto and the Alamo will be removed for fear that they may offeeeeeend our illegal aliens.
I wonder if any of those men thought at the time that some 171 years later, they would be remembered?
There have been four men bestowed with the honor of being designated an Official State Hero of Texas. The first three are Stephen Austin, Davy Crockett and Sam Houston. Who was the fourth?
(No cheating on this one by doing an internet search! LOL.)
They didn't do it to be remembered. Hero's never do.
I wasn't saying they did.
Not implying you did, just adding to your comment. I knew what you meant.
Texan: What's your name?
Pee-wee: I don't remember.
Texan: Where are you from?
Pee-wee: I don't remember.
Texan: Do you remember anything?
Pee-wee: I remember... the Alamo.
[Texans cheer]
If you've ever been to the Alamo, you'd be shocked by what's around it.
bttt
Would`t be Bowie would it.
Gonna have to read up on the Battle of Goliad,hadn`t heard of it.
I remember my first visit there for the new Toyota plant. I looked out my window from the Marriot to see the Alamo in the middle of downtown. I had always pictured it being out in the middle of nowhere.
(There could be some irony in the Rippleys storefront across the street)
These "brave" marchers had a Texas flag but where the Star is they had a peace symbol instead. I tried to have them thrown out of the parade, they did take some of their signs but they let the flag wave like that.
they desecrate our flags, denigrade out troops & ruin our holidays but still get to live in the land of the free because of the brave.
I'm beginning to hate these people.
I'll post a hint or two if nobody gets it after 15 minutes or so.
Ha, easy. Earl Campbell.
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