Remembering The Alamo
What government should learn.
3.6.2014
178 years ago today, the Alamo fell to the Mexican army under the ruthless President General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.
Everyone knows the story of the Alamo. It's been referenced in movies, books, TV and many other mediums. But why does the story strike a cord with the American public? What is it that drives us to the heroes of the Alamo and the sacrifices they made in defending Texas? It’s a story of selfless sacrifice, courage, bravery, patriotism and honor.
A few months before the siege, Texans drove out Mexican troops from Texas following this route. 100 men were stationed at the Alamo for defensive purposes. They were joined by a small number of reinforcements led by co-commanders William B. Travis and James Bowie. Sometime later, Davey Crockett and some of his men joined the defense. On February 23, 1836 Santa Anna and 1,500 troops surrounded the Alamo. A siege began and only small skirmishes were reported with zero casualties on both sides. In that time, William Travis sent a letter to ask for reinforcements. In the truest sense of courage and honor, and in the American spirit he wrote:
“If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself for 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.”
It was not until the last 24 hours, after 13 days of siege, that a real battle ensued. In the battle, the Alamo defenders fought valiantly and nearly all were killed including Travis, Bowie, and Crockett.
The defense of the Alamo allowed General Sam Houston to build a large enough army to route Santa Anna and his men. “Remember The Alamo” was a constant battle cry at the Battle of San Jacinto, six weeks later. In the battle that lasted only 18 minutes, roughly 630 Mexican troops were killed and 730 captured while only 9 Texans died. Three weeks after being captured, Santa Anna signed a peace treaty, paving the way for the Republic of Texas.
The men who fought and died in Texas were ordinary people who took up arms to defend a great country. With the threat of death hovering above them for 13 days, they refused to leave their post (yes, a very tiny group did) and surrender. Even Davey Crockett, a man who already served as a United States Congressman, took up arms to defend Texas. Nearly all politicians today can learn a very big lesson from the men who lost their lives. There is a greater good besides your own self-interests. Politicians need to stop their petty differences and make the correct political sacrifices even if it costs them their career. They must be able to stand up to the political correctness without worry about what the consequences might be.
Ted Cruz is a Texan, and he acts like it. He is not afraid of demonizing his own party and possibly sacrificing his career in order to bring our country back to what the founding fathers fought for. The American people have had enough of the political correctness that has been drowning this country and holding us back from the being the great power we used to be. Washington should mark this day, March 6, as National “Remember the Alamo” day in honor of those who gave their lives and the selfless sacrifices they made. |
