a symbol of liberty.

More than 2.5 million people a year visit the 4.2 acre complex known worldwide as “The Alamo.” Most come to see the old mission where a small band of Texans held out for thirteen days against the Centralist army of General Antonio López de Santa Anna. Although the Alamo fell in the early morning hours of March 6, 1836, the death of the Alamo Defenders has come to symbolize courage and sacrifice for the cause of Liberty. The memories of James Bowie, David Crockett, and William B. Travis are as powerful today as when the Texan Army under Sam Houston shouted “Remember the Alamo!” as it routed Santa Anna at the battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836.
Source: Daughters of the Republic

Going to the Alamo, I wasn’t sure what to expect. In my mind I had envisioned a huge building with many rooms, and a stone wall so strong it would be seen as invincible. I imagined the location to be quiet, with the only building standing in the middle of the desert to be the Alamo. Winds whipping the sand all around, and each person to make the drive would be revered by the sight of the building standing once they came upon it.

Well, some of my imaginings came true… but mostly it was a fantasy I had created from watching old movies of Davy Crockett and singing songs about he and the Alamo as a child. I think i shouted “Remember the Alamo!” one too many times while we were there. (smiles)

Sadly the building was in the middle of downtown San Antonio, and was surrounded by modern buildings, lots of greenery, and the hustle and bustle of everyday happenings, not quite as elegant as I would have liked, but it was still such a spectacular place to see. An ancient building, filled with such bravery and conquest, swallowed by the result of the war fought on her very soil…it was rather romantic and poetic. The experience was definitely one to embrace, and so we slowly trekked towards it.

 

 

Be silent friend, here heroes died to blaze a trail for other men. ~Engraved on the door of the Alamo

We were not allowed to photograph the inside of the Alamo, but beyond the outer walls were merely three rooms filled with memorabilia from Davy Crockett, James Bowie, and other war heroes. The doors to James Bowie’s mansion rested inside the Alamo, which strangely enough was very intimidating. The walls were not the impenetrable that I had imagined, they were made of limestone, and disintegrated at the very touch of them. Strangely enough, many people had signed the walls of the Alamo, carving their names into it with a stick or knife. I asked how old these carvings were and the guide replied they had been on the walls for hundreds of years. I can only imagine a dying solider wanting to mark the place where he was last so his loved ones would know what had become of him. Or the arrogant people, who knew history would remember this place and so wanted to be a part of it forever….whatever the story, there were many names carved into this sacred place. We visitors got to leave our mark as well, in a Guest Book at the back of the room. It wasn’t much, but we were able to say that, “We were here. Remember us.”

Although my expectations were high, they were indeed met, and the spirit of the Alamo was just as grand as the imagination could expect. Thank you to all who fought for this country and allowed us to live in this great nation. Thank you those who lost their lives here in this place called the Alamo.