With all due respect to a fellow Texan, I never went to Alamo Village. Lest anyone think that this is synonymous with the real Alamo San Antonio de Bexar, I would like people to know that the real Cradle of Texas Liberty is in San Antonio.
The reason I never went to Alamo Village is because, in my mind, it took away from the sanctity of the real Alamo. I first went to the Alamo when I was five years old, the again at 17 years old, and again at 34 years old, etc. I have been to many impressive places, even outside of Texas, and the Alamo is the one that has stuck in my mind the best and longest. For people who have not gone there, you are entering a church, as well as a fort, and a shrine. It is eerily quiet when you enter the sanctuary, even with many people inside. The same is true when you go into the Long Baracks, but not nearly so much as in the sanctuary.
I have heard it said that "Never ask a man if he is from Texas. If he is, he tell you soon enough, and if he isn't there's no since in embarassing him." There probably some truth in that for everyone to like and dislike. I like it all, but I will proudly admit that I am a sixth generation Texan. I go to where my great-grandfather is buried with comments about his service in the War of Northern Agression. His father is said to be buried somewhere in the woods where I used to deer hunt. Allegedly he got shot and killed during a hunt, and he was buried on the site of his death.
I expect people who aren't from Texas will find all sorts of fault with this post (its length comes to mind), but I will conclude, and this will be my final answer to any such comments: Texas is the only state, without others (original 13) that fought for its independence from a more powerful foriegn state and became the Republic of Texas for ten years until we agreed to be annexed by the US. There is even some question as to whether we were properly annexed or not. Presidents Tyler and Polk tried and a joint resolution of Congress (US)seemingly is the document that finally accomplished annexation. We have a right to be proud.
Lastly, a question: Only one other state was a separate nation before joining the US as a state. Which state was it?
The US always does the right thing -- after all other alternatives have been exhausted.
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tropix-1
14 years ago
I grew up in Dallas with the feeling the real Alamo was akin to Mecca for Texans. My family made the drive to San Antonio many times and made many visits. My feelings for the chapel are the same as jtrussell above. It is the first place the term "hallowed ground" made sense to me. My folks took me to the original movie release, even though I was only two at the time.
My perspective on Alamo Village is a bit different and different from most folks on this site, I suppose. Back in the 70's as a teenager, I was involved in a civil war reenactment group. Those were the days before Ken Burns made every one a historian. [/grin] Lots of fun, guns and goofy drills. We tried not to be farby.
Anyway, our humble group was asked to be extras in a "loose" Alamo reenactment there in, must have been '75 or so. As it was, everyone wanted to be Texicans and so our August bunch were selected to be "conscripts." Loose, buff linen shirt and pants and a nice sombrero. You know, cannon fodder. The whole affair was filmed for later use in educational films. Probably also as stock for other films. I never saw any of that footage. I have to say, the experience added to my appreciation for the original defenders.
Marching shoulder to soldier across all that open ground against a fairly solid fortification, one can imagine the terror and the spectacle.
Indeed, there was bravery on both sides. Sad to hear they closed.
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