SAN ANTONIO, TX - A solemn group of approximately 500 people gathered in the pre-dawn cold to remember the Alamo on Friday March 6 with a somber, 45-minute ceremony on the 179th anniversary of the early morning battle that left an permanent mark on American history and became the subject of songs, books and movies.
Maj. Gen. Jimmie Keenan, Deputy Commanding General (Operations), US Army Medical Command, addressed the group and commented, "On March 6, 1836, one hundred and eighty nine-men from twenty-three states and seven countries that included; England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Denmark, Germany and Mexico laid down their lives for something larger than themselves."
"They placed the love of their country and the ideals of freedom and liberty ahead of their own personal interests and their own families. Their brave actions on this day in 1836 had a profound and everlasting impact on the heritage and history of our nation. This patriotic and diverse group of heroes reminds me much of the young men and women serving our country today," Keenan added.
She concluded her remarks by reading the letter that William Travis penned on February 24, 1836. The letter was addressed to the people of Texas and all Americans in the world.
Travis' letter read - Fellow citizens and compatriots;
I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continual bombardment and cannonade for 24 hours and have not lost a man. The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken. I have answered the demand 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 everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch. the enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days.
If this call is 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.
(Signed) William Barret Travis
Lieutentant Colonel, Commandant
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 80 or 90 bushels and got into the walls 20 or 30 head of beeves. -- Travis
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