Remember the Alamo!

maryloudriedger

February 25

What is this great group waiting for? They are just about to enter San Antonio's most popular tourist destination The Alamo.

We happened to visit on February 22 just the day before the battle between the Mexicans and the Texans erupted there in 1836. Texas was part of Mexico at the time and the Alamo battle was the start of a rebellion that would eventually lead to Texas becoming independent a few months later.

The Alamo was originally built as a Spanish mission. During the battle, people took refuge in the church.

As we entered the Alamo this passionate gentleman provided an incredibly dramatic retelling of the events of March and February 1836 which led to the deaths of hundreds of men who were defending the Alamo.

Dave studies the panels that tell the story of the history of the Alamo and the Texas fight for independence

The deaths of the men at the Alamo would become a rallying cry for the next battles for Texas independence. In April of 1836, Mexico was defeated at the Battle of San Jacinto by Texas troops shouting "Remember the Alamo."

We watched a film that explained how they are working to uncover the beautiful frescoes that once adorned the walls of the sacristy at The Alamo.

The Six Flags of Texas are displayed in several places at the Alamo

You have maybe heard of the phrase Six Flags Over Texas. That refers to the flags of the countries who once occupied Texas, France (1684-1689), Spain (1690-1821) and Mexico (1821-1836).

I'm posing with the six flags in the courtyard outside The Alamo

The flag with a lone star represents the time Texas was a republic of its own (1836-1845), and the flag with a circle of stars symbolizes the time during the Civil War when Texas was part of the Confederacy (1851-1865). Finally, the American flag recognizes Texas' current statehood in The United States.

A guide explains how the cannons were fired during the Battle of the Alamo

We learned the most about The Alamo from the young man in the photo above. He was a veritable walking encyclopedia of knowledge about not only the weapons used at the Alamo by both sides but also the history of Texas, the life stories of the people who fought at the Alamo, the reasons for the battle and the impact of its outcome.

We asked the guide so many questions and he could answer them all.

Dave pretends Jim Bowie's knife is poking him- The Bowie Knife derives its name from this hero of the Alamo

In a courtyard at the Alamo they had statues of many of the key figures in the history of The Alamo.

I am standing with Emily Morgan who was captured by the Mexican army during the fight for Texas independence. She is said to be the inspiration for the song The Yellow Rose of Texas. You can see her holding a rose in her hand.