Remembering the Alamo: History’s Lessons
As a kid, I loved American history – and I still do. I remember watching the Disney Davy Crockett movies with utter awe and amazement, glued to the tube as the frontiersman swung his Tennessee rifle at the Mexican soldiers as they stormed the walls of the Alamo. As I grew older, I eventually found myself watching John Wayne’s film on the siege of the Alamo. Like any John Wayne movie, it oozed patriotism and commitment to the traditional American values that the actor tried to uphold in his movies – freedom, courage, perseverance, and fortitude.
Not too long ago I had the opportunity to travel to San Antonio for an editor’s conference sponsored by the Collegiate Network. I must admit, as the conference approached I was less than thrilled. I hate flying (the last time I did it I almost got killed). Airport security is never fun. Our return flight wasn’t supposed to get in to the Indianapolis airport until midnight (which, amazingly enough, it did). Plus, I’m a Midwestern boy. I’ve never been to Texas, and that uniquely Texan culture seemed from afar to be, well, different, to put it nicely. Not to mention I had class work and other obligations piling up that I wouldn’t be able to touch for three whole days while I was going to conference sessions in San Antonio. I will admit though, I couldn’t wait to see the Alamo. Come hell or high water, I was going to see the Alamo (and maybe see the River Walk, though that was not at the top of my priority list).
I finally had the opportunity to tour the Alamo Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. I had some break time in the afternoon on Saturday, so I decided to walk the block over to see the fort. I entered the mission church, which I was surprised to learn was not exactly as it was in 1836. When the Texans were defending the place, there was no roof, it was crumbling from much disuse, and it lacked the iconic hump that now graces the top of the mission exterior. There had been several modifications to the original structure, but there were still signs of the struggle. Immediately as I walked in, I surveyed the old, stone walls of the Alamo. I could make out marks made by bullets as they poured in during the battle. As I walked further in, at the very back on the mission church was a list of all who fought and died in the Alamo long with their places of origin. It struck me how many were immigrants from Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and elsewhere. This was not their country. They had deemed it best to trek across the United States to settle in Texas, seeking the best life and opportunity possible. When freedom was denied them in Texas by General Santa Anna, they sacrificed themselves for the freedom of the Texan people. Another aspect of the list that struck me was that there were many Tejano names there. The Texan Revolution was not a race war, and it was not about the whites stealing Mexican land. Indeed, the Texan Revolution was just one more example of a provincial rebellion against the Centralist and dictatorial leanings of General Santa Anna (for example, the Yucatan revolted against his rule). While the revisionist historians might see it fit to drag race into this, it would be good for us all to remember that the Tejanos were dying for the freedom of the same country as Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie.
While there, I took the opportunity to listen to 20-30 minute history talk by one of the volunteers. Giving an overview of the Texas Revolution and what happened at the Alamo, he had a point at the end of his talk that, for whatever reason, simply blew me away. The diverse group of defenders within the confines of the Alamo all sacrificed themselves for their freedoms. Freedom requires sacrifice. It doesn’t come free. That ever simple concept seemed most profound to me while sitting under the shade of a tree in the Calvary Courtyard. It was particularly pertinent considering this was only 2-3 days after the shootings at Ft. Hood.
Sunday morning, since we had a late flight, we headed to the Alamo. This time I took advantage of an audio tour provided at a low cost. In an hour’s time we heard tales of sacrifice and courage. Davy Crockett died here. Travis there. Those who made there last stand in the Long Barracks were blown away by captured artillery, speared by bayonets, or shot to death. Some survived. Some survived. They were summarily executed. The corpses were taken to unknown locations and subsequently burned in funeral pyres. As I walked through the mission again, and I saw the bullet marks on the walls, and I saw the names etched in plaques, it became clear to me how this country is built upon sacrifice. Texas is as Texas is because of the sacrifices at the Alamo. Also, since the Alamo was an event that led eventually to the defeat of General Santa Anna and the Mexicans, the liberation of Texas, and the eventual annexation of Texas and the West by the United States, the Alamo defenders are a crucial part of our history even for those of us who are not Texans.
When we look at history, some just see boring facts and dates that some history teacher forced us to learn in grade school. What possible relevance can it have to my life? When the words of the day are “progress” and “hope,” history does look indeed look at least anachronistic if not utterly worthless. What nonsense that is! History explains how we got to where we are. It shows us where we’ve been, and perhaps where we could go. In the instance of the Alamo, it shows us how liberty beat tyranny. It shows us how a few can make a difference. It shows us that while we may be beaten, we are not out of the running. In the end, it is all worth it. Victory is in sight. What presently could be more relevant to America than this?
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