March 6, 1836

[Pancho Peacemaker]

This week is a very important and often forgotten date in history: March 6, 1836

173 years ago, 189 (maybe a few more, who's names are lost to history) brave souls laid their lives down at Misión San Antonio de Valero, for their fellow Texians and for a principle more important than their own well-being :  Freedom.

On the dawn of March 6, 1836, a Mexican force of over 2000+ (some estimate as high as 5000) over ran the Texian garrison at the mission.  Those men paid the ultimate price for Freedom.

If you are a Texan or an American, I believe every person should take pause on that day and remember those brave men and the selfless act they gave for us and our way of life.  Most Texas historians agree that if the Alamo had been abandon by Travis's garrison, Santa Anna's force would've rode into East Texas much earlier than April.  Given that timeline, Sam Houston could not've raised the force that he did and the southern border of Oklahoma would now be the state of Coahuila.

Every year on March 6, I raise our Texas flag in our front yard and I read this letter to my children.  I hope years from now, they will be doing the same for their children.  This is the final dispatch sent from Travis:

COMMANDANCY OF THE ALAMO, BEXAR, February 24, 1836.

FELLOW-CITIZENS AND COMPATRIOTS : I am besieged by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continued bombardment for twenty-four hours, and have not lost a man. The enemy have demanded a surrender at discretion ; otherwise the garrison is to be put to the sword, if the place is taken. I have answered the summons with a cannon-shot, and our flag still waves proudly from the walls. I shall never surrender or retreat. Then I call on you in the name of liberty, of patriotism, and of everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid with all despatch. The enemy are receiving reinforcements daily, and will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. Though this call may be neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible, and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor and that of his country. Victory or death!

"W. BARRET TRAVIS, Lieutenant-Colonel commanding.

" P. S.—The Lord is on our side. When the enemy appeared in sight, we had not three bushels of corn. We have since found, in deserted houses, eighty or ninety bushels, and got into the walls twenty or thirty head of beeves. "T"  

[River City John]

Thank you for the reminder, Pancho.

That is one of the things I like most about our NCOWS family, the sharing of a high regard for history.








( Major 2 is an interesting member to chat up, as he was involved with production on the Billy Bob Thornton movie of that action. See his avatar. I believe that movie to be the most accurate depiction to date.)
RCJ 

[Tjackstephens]

REMEMBER THE ALAMO!! I have been there and must say it is one of the highlights of my life. Thanks Pancho. TJ

[Major 2]

Thank you for the reminder, Pancho.

That is one of the things I like most about our NCOWS family, the sharing of a high regard for history.










( Major 2 is an interesting member to chat up, as he was involved with production on the Billy Bob Thornton movie of that action. See his avatar. I believe that movie to be the most accurate depiction to date.)
RCJ 

RCJ ..thanks for the plug... But I was the Production Designer on Alamo "The Price of Freedom" the IMAX Film which really should be seen in it's full lengh version ..not the abridged version shown daily at the River Center Mall.
The Avatar photo is my casted persona, Green B. Jamison.
Though I was, contacted for Disney's Alamo (Billy Bob Thornton movie) I was otherwise involved on another project about the CSS Hunley and was unavailable. Though my Partner, spent 10 weeks on that Alamo shoot.

[River City John]

Well, I knew you were in the continental United States around that time. . . . .

Thanks for setting me straight.

[Dutch Limbach]

Pancho,

Here is the desktop background I have to commemorate the occassion.

[Pancho Peacemaker]

Please take a moment and remember these brave men who laid down their lives so that others my be free.

[Dr. Bob]

Travis should have followed his orders! 

I have participated in a living history Alamo event at the Wayne-amo!  1989 IIRC.  Great experience and have a GEAT respect for the defenders.

But, Travis should have followed his orders!

[Don Nix]

A few years back , I took my mother to San Antonio to watch my nephew graduate from basic training,
While we were there we  went to the Alamo. my 16 yoa neice and nephews wife were with us.
When we stood reading the names of the fallen heroes on the monument I watched as my mother began to read the names aloud. And as she did tears began to roll down her cheeks. She read every name aloud then stood and stared at the Alamo. My neice asked why Grandma was crying and she turned and said "please be quiet,this is a Holy place"
The young girls were not moved by the significance of the moment but I will never forget that day and the reverence that my mother paid .
  As a young man growing up the Alamo was held as the epitome of sacrifice.
it is too bad that the new generations do not understand what or why  that battle is so important.

[Texas Lawdog]

The Grand Lodge of Texas is asking the Masons of Texas to donate money for the upkeep an preservation of the Alamo. As a Texan and a Texas Mason I feel honored to donate to this worthy cause.

[Shotgun Franklin]

Green B. Jamison Was one of those great Alamo Defenders who fails to get the attention he deserves.

'Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his friends'

God Bless Texas

[Texas Lawdog]

The ultimate sacrifice.

[Shotgun Franklin]

I hope this works, just found it.

[Texas Lawdog]

Yessir, I always enjoy Marty's songs, especially this one.

[Major 2]

Remembering Marty 


You may not know, he was a fine race driver, and raced about 13-14 years in NASCAR big leagues ( now known as the Sprint Cup )
Back in the day I called him friend , I met him while racing IMSA's Baby Grand series in the early and mid 70's.
I will never forget him or the night I received the news of his death, I cried and still tear up when I hear "El Paso".
Marty was veteren of the Navy and served in WWII.

[Dutch Limbach]

Remembering Marty 


You may not know, he was a fine race driver, and raced about 13-14 years in NASCAR big leagues ( now known as the Sprint Cup )
Back in the day I called him friend , I met him while racing IMSA's Baby Grand series in the early and mid 70's.
I will never forget him or the night I received the news of his death, I cried and still tear up when I hear "El Paso".
Marty was veteren of the Navy and served in WWII.

Major,

If I remember correctly didn't he take up stock car racing after he had a heart attack as a way to relieve stress?

[Texas Lawdog]

Yep, They have one of Marty's purple/yellow Dodges from the 70's at the museum in Talledega, Alabama. I have a 1/24 diecast model of it,(#42).

[Major 2]

He was a racer before,
he had always had a heart condition, but continued to race after the attack.
He raced in the Atlanta 500 one month before his fatal attack in 1982.

[Tjackstephens]

Marty raced at a track just outside of Owensboro, KY. Just one of the guys. My favorite country singer. Love Running Gun. They have one of his race cars there at the building next to where they hold the Grand Ole Opry. Johnny Cash does a very good Remember The Alamo also. Tj

[Texas Lawdog]

Thank you, Bro. TJ, I was thinking about Johnny's song about the Alamo too. It's on the "Ring Of Fire" album.