Remember the Alamo!
And How to Apply the Lessons Learned in the Texas Revolution to Our Current Fight for our Country
As I lay here in San Antonio a bit under the weather (like my male counterparts never admitting to being sick), I reflect. After a visit to Fredericksburg and before a trek to Grapevine, Texas, I decided to stop in the city that is an oasis to so many Texans. Not sure if students in Texas still learn about Texas history, but when I was a child in private school, we learned about the sacrifices made in forming the Republic of Texas. There were victories and there were devastating losses. Many heroes lost their lives and in San Antonio, you can easily reflect on the sacrifices they made… Easily, one of my favorite places on earth and a good place to reflect on why we fight…
I try to explain to people that this movement is a war. We are fighting a war for our country each and every day. You will have wins and you will have losses. Texas didn’t just wake up a state one day. Texas fought for its independence from a tyrant… Santa Anna. Much like Joe Biden but more alive and breathing… Perhaps, could even walk a straight line.
There were even some victories. Perhaps, the victory started the war in a way, but some brave Texians stood up to the bully over a cannon. They had requested a cannon from the Mexican government to use as protection against the Comanches. These Texians in a settlement called Gonzales were brave and very wise. Ironically, they were initially loyal to the Mexican government, but they took a stand for something. They actually preferred Mexican rule over independence but standing up to the bully isn’t always easy. Ultimately, they did what was necessary. If you see the iconic flag “Come and Take It”, these flags are replicas of the flag used at Gonzales. The phrase was borrowed from the Spartans and would later be used in the state of Georgia, but it was a rallying cry for those who weren’t going to break to the pressure. They took a stand over a cannon. When a Supreme Commander and 5 of his troops were sent to retrieve the cannon, those six were taken as hostages. Ultimately, they created delay after delay with different tactics. The ingenuity of burying the cannon in a peach orchard was one of the many actions they took to create delays. On October 1, 1835, these men voted and decided that if the Mexican government wanted their cannon back, they were going to have to fight for it. A Methodist minister even gave his blessing. The acts of 18 brave souls to create delay after delay allowed them time to bring in other settlers and to amass an army in secret. This simple battle over a cannon sparked the Texas revolution. And those brave souls won the fight by going on the offensive. Standing shoulder to shoulder up against the bully. The only casualty suffered by those Texians was one soldier falling off his horse and receiving a bloody nose. The battle didn’t last an hour and wasn’t much of a fight because they outsmarted the enemy. One of those amazing moments in history that we should reference.
Not all battles in Texas featured a victorious ending… In fact, in war, there are many losses and often there are many tragic deaths. But because of those losses, we continue to fight. I think it is easy to say that the Alamo is probably the most recognized symbol of Texas history. It started as a mission but ended as something much worse. A memorial. A memorial for those who fought for what they believed in and still lost that battle. But their deaths didn’t come in vain because others carried on their fight for independence and ended up winning the war and honoring those brave souls as they took Texas from the tyrant. In the different states in our modern-day war, I see lots of infighting. Lots of struggles between different people with differing opinions and different leadership styles. Don’t fear but the battle for Texas was no different. You had two great men in William Travis and Jim Bowie who faced the same issues and the same struggles. Ultimately, one would be charged with leading the regulars and the other given command of the volunteers. Unfortunately, illness would strike Jim Bowie and he would be unable to participate in the fighting or command at the Alamo. The Alamo didn’t have a happy ending, and if you ever visit the grounds, please reflect on the heroes who died on that soil and sacrificed their lives for the greater good.
I visited the San Fernando Cathedral because supposedly the remains of those heroes of Texas past are housed there. I am not sure if it is legend or true, but I like to believe so, because it gives me solace in knowing they are at peace. I pray for them and thank them for their sacrifice. Bravery like theirs isn’t commonplace, but I am blessed to say that I have met many in modern day America who share the values of these fine men. I do believe they would take a stand for their country at all costs, and if you meet one in your local communities or even nationally, thank them… Let them know they are appreciated…
Tragedy wasn’t exclusive to the Alamo. More souls died in a massacre at Goliad. Colonel James Fannin, a native of the state of Georgia, met a tragic end in the war. Mistakes were made and the price was costly. After suffering some losses, Fannin and his troops surrendered and were taken back to Goliad. The enemy showed no mercy. Even though some made an attempt to save their lives, Santa Anna was firm in his decision that all these brave souls be executed. The Colonel’s men were executed on Palm Sunday. Colonel Fannin remained, and his life was taken last. He made three requests. He requested his personal possessions be sent to his family, to be shot in the heart and not the face, and to be given a Christian burial. He was then shot in the face and his body burned along with the other Texians who died that day. If you think the enemy is ever going to show you mercy, learn the lesson from Colonel Fannin and his men. They won’t. If you make deals with them, they will still turn on you. If you surrender to them, then they will make fools of you. And if you give up and walk away, then your country will be lost.
Texas did have its happy ending at the Battle of San Jacinto. The lives lost throughout Texas were never forgotten by their fellow Texians. The rallying cry at the Battle of San Jacinto was “Remember the Alamo. Remember Goliad”. Near the now City of Houston, Sam Houston accomplished what many would have said was impossible. They ambushed Santa Ana and his men in a sneak attack. They took Santa Ana hostage and finally negotiated his release for a price. The price being Texas independence. Legend also has it that a woman taken by Santa Anna named Emily West was a spy for Sam Houston and distracted the leader during this sneak attack. Whether the “Yellow Rose of Texas” ever really existed, we probably will never know. But I like the idea of a woman fooling the enemy… It just has a nice ring to it.
Don’t ever be disheartened in the war for your country. You lose a battle at a convention, and just remember those who lost their lives during their own battles. Use their legacy as an example of how to win. How to never give up. And how to never surrender. Sneak up on the enemy when they least expect it. And most importantly, that with God on your side, you will win the war. On God’s timing.
God bless Texas, and God bless the United States of America…